[Ennis]

As starkfist mentioned, Abu Dhabi is picking up the tab. The other reason would be the level of freedom that NYU is being given in designing the curriculum. Places like Geneva have strict guidelines on curriculum. While I'm sure the Emirates have curriculum guidelines as well, I see them being much more open to trying something new.

It's a university administrator's dream.

Also, U of Waterloo now has an Engineering campus in Dubai. http://www.uae.uwaterloo.ca/ It caused quite the discussion when I was in school at the time.