News & Observer | newsobserver.com | 2008 NCAA Men's Bracket

Many years ago, UNC Chapel Hill considered an offer from a Qatari foundation to establish an undergraduate business program in the oil-rich middle eastern nation. It was, at the time, an unusual proposal and caused some heartburn in North Carolina coming on the heels of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

It was fascinating public conversation that brewed for more than a year before the university decided against taking part in the venture, an attempt by Qatar to boost higher education in its country through the use of American universities. 

While UNC said no, plenty of other universities have said yes. The latest is Northwestern, which will take its well-regarded journalism program to Qatar.  

Cornell, Virginia Commonwealth, Georgetown and Texas A & M are among other American universities to take the plunge there, according to the story.