In April a memorandum of understanding was established between Maryland and The Petroleum Institute of Abu Dhabi to establish a Cooperative Education and Research in Energy Sciences and Engineering agreement. The agreement seeks to enhance the collaborative educational and research activities in the field of energy sciences and engineering, and to enhance the undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs of both establishments.

His Excellency Dr. Yousef Omeir bin Yousef Al Omeir, Chairman of the Board of the Petroleum Institute and CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company visited the University of Maryland for a tour of the campus and research facilities and to formally sign the agreement. Also present to receive Dr. Bin Yousef were Dr. Nariman Farvardin, Dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering; Dr. Avram Bar-Cohen, Chair and Distinguished University Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Dr. Herbert Rabin, Director of Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute; Dr. Ali Haghani, Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and Professor of Mechanical Engineering Michael Ohadi.

In 2001 Dr. Bin Yousef proposed the creation of a premier engineering school in support of the petroleum/natural gas and broader energy industry in the United Arab Emirates and beyond. Today the Petroleum Institute has more than 800 students in five engineering majors, is sponsored by four of the five major oil companies in the world, and is committed to receive international accreditation (including ABET) at the first possible opportunity. Dr. Bin Yousef serves as the chairman of the board of trustees for the Petroleum Institute and takes a keen interest in seeing the Petroleum Institute reach its goal of being recognized as a global university of excellence in petroleum and energy related areas.