Michigan State University Dubai Computer Engineering Program

1
Michigan State University Dubai Computer
Engineering Program

• Timothy Grotjohn
• Professor and Chairperson
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Michigan State University

2
Background Michigan State University
International Programs

• Over 260 programs in more than 65 countries on
  all continents
• 2,975 students studied abroad through MSU during
  2006-07
• MSU is ranked the top public university for study
  abroad participation in the nation by the
  Institute of International Education

3
Michigan State UniversityECE International
Programs

• Study abroad/exchange program with University of
  Kaiserslautern, Germany for 15 years
• 7-15 MSU students go to Germany each year for one
  semester
• 5-10 University of Kaiserslautern students come
  to MSU each year
• Study abroad program with University of Casino,
  Italy (one semester long program, just started)
• Complete Computer Engineering degree program at
  MSU-Dubai in the United Arab Emirates

4
Michigan State University Dubai

• MSU Dubai opened Aug. 2008 and offers
  undergraduate and graduate programs
• Students earn a degree that is same as in East
  Lansing, Michigan

• Vision is that in steady state in 4 years
  MSU-Dubai has
• 5-7 undergraduate program
• 5-10 graduate programs
• Total of 800-1200 students
• One of the undergraduate majors is computer
  engineering

5
How was MSU Dubai established?

• MSU is engaged in various ways (study abroad,
  development projects, research projects, etc.) in
  most regions of the world.
• The engagement in the Middle East was not as
  strong as other parts of the world, so MSU
  started looking for opportunities to improve its
  presence in the Middle East.
• After exploring a number of possibilities over
  several years a decision and agreement was
  reached to establish MSU-Dubai

6
Where and how does MSU Dubai operate?

• MSU Dubai is in Dubai International Academic City
  (DIAC) a higher education free zone
• DIAC is an entity of TECOM- a division of Dubai
  Holding
• The vision for DIAC
• Bring the best institutions from the world to
  form a global community of learners and scholars
• 25,000 students, 15-25 institutions on 1 sq.
  mile.
• A regional higher education hub in Middle East,
  S. Asia, N. Africa and E. Africa (A region of
  over 1 billion people)

7
International Universities in DIAC

• DIAC (Academic City) Currently, nearly 20
  international institutes of higher learning from
  Australia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Russia,
  Belgium, UK and Ireland join MSU in the DIAC,
  providing education to over 8,500 students.
• Examples of other institutions at Academic City
• University of Wollongong in Dubai from Australia
• Middlesex University Dubai Campus from United
  Kingdom
• S.P Jain Centre of Management Dubai from India.
• Down the road a short distance is Silicon Oasis
• Rochester Institute of Technology is starting a
  graduate program in Silicon Oasis

8
MSU Dubai Vision

• MSU Dubai faculty will teach, conduct research,
  and extend their knowledge and expertise to
  local, national, and regional constituencies and
  communities.
• All MSU Dubai degrees are equivalent to those
  offered by Michigan State University in the
  United States. (Same curriculum. Same diploma.)
• The MSU Dubai programs have been selected to help
  meet the professional, management, and technical
  skills needed in Dubai, UAE, and the surrounding
  region.
• MSU Dubai will operate financially from tuition,
  as well as, using additional funding
  opportunities identified in the Dubai area.

9
MSU Dubai Programs

• Undergraduate Offerings
• Business Administration
• Child and Youth Development
• Computer Engineering
• Construction Project Management
• Early Childhood Education
• Media Management and Research
• Master's Degree and Executive Certificate
  Programs
• The post-graduate programs that will begin in the
  2008-09 include
• Certificate in Educational Technology (Beginning
  August, 2008)
• Master's Degree Human Resources Labor Relations
  (Beginning August, 2008)
• Executive Certificate in Retailing (Beginning
  August, 2008)
• Master of Science in Retailing (Beginning August,
  2008)
• Programs to be phased in for the academic year of
  2009-10 are
• Master of Arts in Advertising
• Master of Science in Packaging
• Master of Science in Supply Chain Management

10
MSU Dubai- Computer Engineering

• Facilities including teaching laboratories are
  being established
• Establish the faculty in Dubai
• A combination of regular MSU faculty, fixed term
  faculty and adjunct faculty will be used in Dubai
• Accreditation considerations
• The Higher Learning Commission (MSUs
  accreditation body) approved MSU to proceed
• MSU Dubai has a license from the Dubai Knowledge
  and Human Development Authority to offer degree
  and other educational programs in Dubai
  International Academic City
• A letter has been provided to ABET informing that
  the Computer Engineering is part of the MSU Dubai
  offerings.

11
Current Status

• Facilities completed summer 2008
• Classes started in Aug. 2008

12
Current Status

• The initial year (08-09) had four undergraduate
  programs start up. One program was CPE.
• Recruitment for 09-10 is underway. Students and
  their families make college decisions later in
  Dubai- typically in the summer
• Hiring of faculty is underway so that freshman
  and sophomore courses can be taught next academic
  year
• Teaching laboratories for computer engineering
  program are being established

13
Next Steps

• Look for ways to interact the Michigan and Dubai
  portions of the CPE program
• Student interactions (on design projects)
• Study abroad for East Lansing students in Dubai
• Study abroad for Dubai students in East Lansing
• Establish initial research and industry
  interaction activities in Dubai region (a goal is
  to do more than just teach CPE courses)