American university outposts in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are struggling with enrollment in the wake of the collapse of Dubai’s economy, the New York Times reported just before the New Year. For example, Michigan State University, with only 85 undergraduates enrolled at its Dubai campus, is “seeking to raise that figure with a scholarship offering half-price tuition to the first 100 qualified transfer applicants for the semester that starts next month.”

Even with these economic difficulties, the Times notes that many American universities still see their engagement in the UAE as “viable and valuable.” As Brendan Mullen, executive director of MSU Dubai, said, “Our commitment to Dubai is unyielding.”