The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) may launch a research and development wing here, its Dubai representative said.
RIT, a top research university in the US, has already opened a campus in Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, with classes starting August 24.
RIT Dubai is seeking partnerships with UAE and foreign companies that want locally-sourced talent.
“We've met around 50 government and private organizations (to do this),'' said Dr. Mustafa Abushagur, president of RIT Dubai.
Dr. Abushagur said several multinational companies have shown interest, and want manpower used to working in Dubai's multicultural lifestyle.
Students here will also be able to take some classes at the home campus, in New York state.
The degrees will be identical to the home campus, accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools there.
The institute is accredited here by Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority, and waiting for federal accreditation by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Abu Dhabi.
RIT, a private university established in 1892, had an annual budget of around Dh1.6 billion ($450 million) last academic year, when 16,000 students enrolled.
Its Dubai satellite currently offers part-time graduate programmes in engineering, IT, and business – to be made full-time in 2009, followed by undergraduate degrees in 2010.
In a decade, RIT Dubai wants to expand to a million-square-foot campus with 4,000 students.
Tuition for a Master's degree costs a little over Dh100,000, for 18 months total.
