Within the next few years, New York University (NYU) will have implanted a full-service campus on Saadiat “Happiness” Island, the future cultural and educational center of Abu Dhabi. New York University-Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)’s stated mission is to become a regional hub for quality liberal arts education for more than 2000 undergraduates and less than half as many graduate students. This undertaking is important, as it has the potential to generate positive linakges into the Emirati educational system, and to help train a new generation of regional leaders.
NYUAD’s success in realizing these goals will likely be a direct result of three factors: First, an over-riding focus on the quality of undergraduate education it provides; second, making sure that the offerings are relevant to the regional market (concentrations in schools administration, Islamic finance, and the like would be a good start) and third, stressing active linkages both to the country and the region. It is worth noting that most of the problems with existing (and defunct) Gulf-US exchange programs are on both the demand (an inability to generate adequate interest by qualified student), and supply side (attracting qualified teachers).
While the word “Iran” doesn’t figure in any of NYUAD’s communications—and for cause at this stage, this is NYU Abu Dhabi–, it is apparent Iran may indirectly and directly play a big part in its success, as well as provide for a “public diplomacy” coup, if not for the U.S., then for NYU and its hosts. There are currently more than 500,000 Iranian nationals living in UAE; with well over a million in the Arab Gulf States. This is a population that is for the most part pro-Americanand for whom education is a high priority. A good number are very affluent; more are unable to access an American education directly.
Recognizing UAE sensitivities (and ambivalence) towards its Iranian neighbors, the sensitivities of NYU trustees, and the current state of US-Iranian relations and parallel legal issues, would it not be to both UAE, the US and Gulf interests to spend some effort planting the seed of an NYUAD education with UAE-resident Iranian nationals? Thus far, NYU administrators have been quiet on the subject, noting only that the institution will cater to a wide range of students. We hope someone’s giving this issue some thought.
ED Note: This post originally ran in March 2009.
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