American institutions like New York University are providing alternatives to education houses such as the University of London and University of Melbourne, by planning to start or expand hundreds of programmes and partnerships in booming markets like China, India and Singapore.

Many are now considering full-fledged foreign branch campuses, particularly in the oil-rich Middle East.

Already, students in the Persian Gulf state of Qatar can attend an American university without the expense, culture shock or post-9/11 visa problems of travelling to the United States.

In Dubai, another emirate, Michigan State University and Rochester Institute of Technology will offer classes this autumn.

'Where universities are heading now is towards becoming global universities,' said Mr Howard Rollins, the former director of international programmes at Georgia Tech, which has degree programmes in France, Singapore, Italy, South Africa and China, and plans for India.

'We'll have more and more universities competing internationally for resources, faculty and the best students.'

In recent years, internationalisation has moved high on the agenda at most universities, to prepare students for a globalised world, and to help faculty members stay up-to-date in their disciplines.

Overseas programmes can help American universities raise their profile, build international relationships, attract top research talent.

Even public universities, whose primary mission is to educate in-state students, are trying to establish a global brand in an era of limited state financing.

Traditionally, top universities built their international presence through studyabroad sites, research partnerships, faculty exchanges and joint degree programmes offered with foreign universities, but now overseas branches, with the same requirements and degrees as the home campuses, are a newer phenomenon.

'I still think the downside is lower than the upside is high,' said Ms Amy Gutmann, president of the University of Pennsylvania.

'The risk is that we couldn't deliver the same quality education that we do here, and that it would mean diluting our faculty strength at home.'

While universities with overseas branches insist that the education equals what is offered in the US, much of the faculty is hired locally, on a short-term basis.

'A lot of these educators are trying to present themselves as benevolent and altruistic, when, in reality, their programmes are aimed at making money,' said Representative Dana Rohrabacher of California, who has criticised the rush overseas.

But Mr David Skorton, the president of Cornell, said the global drive benefited the US.

'Higher education is the most important diplomatic asset we have,' he said.

'I believe these programmes can actually reduce friction between countries and cultures.'

NEW YORK TIMES

GOING GLOBAL

'Where universities are heading now is towards becoming global universities. We'll have more and more universities competing internationally for resources, faculty and the best students.'
MR HOWARD ROLLINS, former director of international programmes at Georgia Institute of Technology

MONEY MAKER

'A lot of these educators are trying to present themselves as benevolent and altruistic, when, in reality, their programmes are aimed at making money.'
REPRESENTATIVE DANA ROHRABACHER