Yale drops plans for Abu Dhabi

University refuses to offer full Yale degrees from proposed Abu Dhabi arts institute

In a surprising pause in its noted internationalization efforts, Yale has scrapped plans to open an arts institute in Abu Dhabi, citing one irreconcilable difference, University officials confirmed this week.

The decision comes as scores of other universities flock to the Middle East, where in several cities American schools have established degree-granting satellite branches. Mere months ago, Yale officials were talking enthusiastically about offering professional programs in subjects ranging from architecture to arts management in Abu Dhabi, perhaps as early as the fall semester.

Now, Yale is heading back to the drawing board.

“At this juncture, we’re not continuing the conversation,” University Secretary Linda Lorimer said in a recent interview.

Negotiations between the University and the government of the United Arab Emirates capital broke down because Abu Dhabi wanted the University to offer full-fledged Yale degrees through the arts institute, a commitment Yale officials refused to make, according to officials involved in the talks. Yale Daily News