MSU’s new Dubai director to stress education, research, outreach

Contact: Andy Henion, University Relations, (517) 355-3294, cell (517) 281-6949, henion@msu.edu; or Kent Cassella, University Relations: (517) 353-1772, cell (517) 599-8537, cassella@ur.msu.edu

Dec. 7, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. — As the recently named executive director of Michigan State University’s academic site in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Brendan Mullan plans on developing strong undergraduate and graduate programs, research and outreach efforts.

Mullan, who was formally introduced at today’s MSU Board of Trustees meeting by John Hudzik, MSU vice president of global engagement and strategic projects, said it is critical that MSU’s programs and presence at Dubai International Academic City reflect the university’s values of quality, inclusiveness and community involvement.

Mullan, a 17-year faculty member at MSU, is associate dean of academic and student affairs for the College of Social Science and associate professor of sociology. As executive director of MSU in Dubai, he will be responsible for all academic and research operations.

“MSU brings its status as a top research university, its commitment to civic engagement and its tradition of global connectivity to this program,” Mullan said. “I will create and support the teams that will address the academic and research components to launch active MSU programs in Dubai.”

Hudzik said MSU is fortunate to have Mullan as executive director.

“We looked extensively to find a person with an in-depth understanding of the Michigan State culture and substantial experience at MSU, as well as someone who has experience working internationally and cross-culturally. In addition, we wanted a senior faculty member who understands the mission of teaching, research and outreach,” Hudzik said.

“It is my feeling,” he added, “that we are extraordinarily fortunate to find in Brendan Mullan all of these qualities: a scholar, an experienced administrator and an internationalist who brings 17 years of experience at Michigan State University.”

President Lou Anna K. Simon said Mullan’s leadership “will help Michigan State establish a world-class model for global engagement that is firmly rooted in our land-grant values and dedicated to advancing knowledge and transforming lives throughout the world.

“Dr. Mullan’s extensive international experience and his commitment to MSU’s mission and core values will prove invaluable as he leads our efforts in Dubai,” Simon said.“Expanding international reach is a key strategic objective for MSU, especially to regions of the world that are of great significance to Michigan and the nation.”

Classes at MSU in Dubai, a not-for-profit school, will begin in August 2008. MSU will recruit students from one of the most vibrant and growing economic hubs in the Middle East to attend a world-class research university, said Hudzik, who has been the key administrative leader for the university’s Dubai initiative.

Initially, MSU will offer bachelor’s and master’s degree programs selected because they add value to Dubai and the wider region while preserving core MSU admission, degree and quality standards, Hudzik said.

Examples of degree options at MSU in Dubai include media, communications, public relations, computer engineering, construction management, family studies and business-related programs. The MSU faculty and administrators have consulted extensively with Dubai’s corporate and government leaders to identify relevant academic offerings, Hudzik said.

In September, MSU announced its partnership with Dubai International Academic City to set up the initiative, becoming the first major North American research university with a presence in the academic city.

MSU will have full academic authority and quality control over courses and programs, and MSU’s regular course, program, degree, admissions and accreditation requirements will be maintained. Diplomas will be standard MSU diplomas.

Mullan comes to Dubai with extensive experience in international education and engagement. As associate dean in the College of Social Science, he is responsible for all undergraduate academic and student affairs in 12 disciplinary and professional departments and schools in the social, behavioral and economic sciences. He also served as acting director of the Center for Integrative Studies during 2007.

A native of Northern Ireland, Mullan is a citizen of four countries – the United States, Ireland, Britain and Greece. His professional research interests and expertise encompass international migration and the causes, content and consequences of globalization.

“With experience of British, American and European educational systems,” Mullan said, “I am familiar with a broad array of educational infrastructures that I believe will be useful as we continue to build the program in Dubai.”

Mullan will move to Dubai in January 2008 and his family will join him in the summer of 2008. He likely will return to East Lansing every few months to meet with the MSU Dubai leadership team.

He said part of his role is to “engage and energize multiple student, faculty, staff, parent and community-based constituents on campus in East Lansing and in the United Arab Emirates to build this initiative together. We at MSU have as much, if not more, to learn from being in the Middle East as we have to teach.

“I enter this position eager to see the first graduating class from MSU Dubai receive their diplomas. The MSU Dubai class of 2012 will establish a tradition of leadership excellence and civic engagement in Dubai and beyond,” he added.

To hear a podcast with Mullan, go to http://spartanpodcast.com/?p=361.

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