The inaugural class at MSU Dubai was made up of about 50 students, according to previous State News reports.

Classes in Dubai began at the end of August as the institution began its second year with a bigger student body.

Because of the education offered at MSU Dubai, more students are applying, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said, adding that the numbers are somewhat affected by the financial crisis around the world.

“(It’s) also a reflection of the economic circumstances affecting the region,” she said.

The fall enrollment numbers were decent and might increase in coming semesters, Mullan said.

“I do not underestimate the challenge,” he said. “The world today is very different than it was 18 months ago. … We are all challenged to deal with the change in the academic climate. … (But) the downturn is bottoming out.”

MSU Dubai has a regional strategy that attracts students from different countries such as Egypt, India, Kuwait, Iran and Africa, Mullan said.

“We’re getting to where we want to be in terms of the university of choice,” he said. “America is to higher education what the Swiss are to watches. … There is not doubt in my mind … the American ideal of university education is highly sought after.”

As MSU builds a presence in the region, more students will enroll, MSU Board of Trustees member Melanie Foster said.

“As the reputation spreads by word of mouth … I think it’s going to have a positive impact on our enrollment,” she said. “We’re in our infancy. … As we build our reputation I think the numbers will follow.”

Sustaining and enhancing funding for the institution also is important to the success of the venture, Mullan said.

“We’re very conscious of the fact that we are not and we don’t want to be a drain on the resources of East Lansing,” he said. “(Funding is a) combination of loans from the Dubai government and mostly tuition revenue.”

A new school in the region intends to prepare students for an American university education, which could help MSU Dubai’s enrollment numbers, Mullan said. The academy offers three, 10-week modules, which focus on enabling students to succeed, he said.

“We appreciate that students aspire to attain or to achieve an American university education,” Mullan said. “(This is a) a pre-university prep program designed to do that.”