BIDDEFORD — The University of New England is opening a satellite operation in Morocco.

With an agreement signed in Tangier, the university based in Biddeford, Maine, said it’s opening the door to new cultural and educational opportunities for its students.

Mark Doiron, chairman of the UNE board, and professor Anouar Majid, associate provost for global initiatives, traveled to Tangier to sign the agreement on June 22.

Majid says U.S. policymakers are struggling to reach out to the Arab and Muslim worlds but says “we, at UNE, have decided to live up to our ideals and invest in friendship.”

Starting a year from now, UNE students can choose to spend a semester or a full academic year at the American School of Tangier, living on campus or with host families while taking courses.