When a team, visited the Gulf to establish relationships with various ministries of higher education as well as the region’s schools, Ethiopia was still a developing and relatively undeveloped destination in the Africa. Four years later, Bou Saab officially established the American University in Dubai, with the full commitment and support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai. To this day, His Highness continues his unlimited support for higher education.

The Mandates of YIC are: 1. To produce highly qualified, practical, problem solving, entrepreneurial, and motivated graduates, well versed in theoretical knowledge and equipped with practical skills to deal with the prevailing and future socio-economic, cultural and political issues; 2. To conduct basic and applied research in agricultural and environmental areas, in education and health, and in other socio-economic affairs; 3. To provide consultancy services on educational, health, agricultural and environmental issues to national, and regional organizations; 4. To train and upgrade existing agricultural, educational, business and other workers through regular, distance and continuing education programs;