The main objectives of the MARCO XXI project are: To improve capacity building of third countries To facilitate internationalisation of studies To promote gender balance, equal opportunities and analytical teaching/learning skills To generate Research incubators and exchange of knowledge To develop cooperation enterprise-university in research related areas To enhance regional inter-project coaching To increase employability of students Brief description: MARCO XXI places an emphasis on recognition of studies, QA and transfer of knowledge through research cooperation, bringing opportunities to 10 HEIs from Central Asia and many others from disadvantaged regions. The implementation of individual mobilities, with special emphasis to academic cooperation and research initiatives, is expected to close some existing gaps in education. The overall aim of the proposal is to implement student and teaching staff exchanges respecting quality indicators while introducing a practice-based approach to education. In order to support research activities we intend to link the worlds of industry and education. This approach guarantees a positive impact of the mobility. The sustainability of the results and the dissemination of the expertise gained by the long-term cooperation between the European partners and the Central Asian partners will bring about new projects and (research) initiatives. Major efforts will be done to disseminate broadly the project, through a selected number of associated partners so that we can attract excellent Master, PhD and Postdoc students from target group II and III. Nearly one third of all mobility flows are targeted for TGII/III. In total, 100 mobility flows are planned: 30 BA, 20 MA, 18 PhDs, 12 Post-docs, and 20 staff mobilities from which 10 will be for academic staff and 10 for personnel involved in institutional building. They will receive a tailor-made program on research and innovation organized by Masaryk University.