Some countries with rapidly developing economies have recruited leading universities from developed nations to establish international branch campuses (IBCs) to build capacity in their local education system and contribute to development of the local economy. Dubai is a case in point. This study is assessing the extent to which the IBCs contribute to local innovation and economic development. Guided by a case study methodology, the project is investigating three areas: 1) What types of innovation and economic development are these entities contributing to the region? 2) Do these contributions align with the expectations of the exporting university and the importing government? 3) What policies, regulations, or procedures foster or inhibit IBCs from contributing to the development of the local economy?