The project will establish a renewed institution-based mobility and cooperation network among 19 North African and EU partner universities and 6 associate universities supported by 3 associate institutions and the Ministries of Higher Education in the region. It will allow 288 undergraduate, master and doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows and academic and administrative staff to gain valuable experience, knowledge and contacts abroad. Some students will even return to their home countries holding a relevant master or doctoral degree. The project focuses strongly on regional needs and the development of specific and relevant areas. It will provide improved education and training opportunities for vulnerable groups and socio-economically disadvantaged students and promote equal access to higher education for students from less developed areas.The project will - set up an sustainable mobility and cooperation network focusing on regional needs- promote the forthcoming EU educational programme and help to prepare the partner and associate universities for increased mobility flows- train a pool of 288 men and women- provide improved education and training opportunities for vulnerable groups and socio-economically disadvantaged students and scholars- promote equal access to higher education for students and scholars from less developed areas- foster the teaching and research capacity at the partner universities- promote mutual understanding and enhanced political, cultural, educational and economic linkage between the European Union and North Africa- transfer knowledge, know-how and experience among the partners- set up, promote and support international cooperation cells in research, teaching and administration- promote common areas of higher education and explore opportunities for the development of joint degree programmes and co-supervision of doctoral candidates- set up an alumni network- detect and benefit from synergies with partner projects