The overall aim of HERMES is to develop training and scientific exchanges between European and the Middle East higher education institutions which will build and strengthen links between them and result in a strong sustainable contribution to the construction of a Euro-Mediterranean Higher Education and Research Area.The specific objectives are: - To develop higher education teaching and learning capacity through the transfer of know-how and knowledge as well as the exchange of best practices;- To develop the networking of research laboratories in order to promote research and innovation; - To promote mutual enrichment and intercultural understanding;- To contribute to improving the employability of the individuals by giving them the appropriate skills as regards to the labour market and an international experience in the context of globalisation; - To better integrate Middle East universities within the European Higher Education and Research Area and to contribute to the harmonisation of HE curricula and diplomas in accordance with the Bologna process.The Consortium consists of 20 partner universities - 11 from the Middle East (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine) and 9 from the EU - and 10 associated partners. The project’s objectives will be achieved through the mobility activities which concern undergraduate, master, doctoral and post-doctoral students as well as academic and administrative staff. In total, 180 mobility flows are planned, 144 will come from the Middle East to Europe and 36 in the other direction. All the academic fields will be offered with a priority given to the fields which are of major interest for the Middle East universities.The choice of this acronym, HERMES, corresponds to the philosophy of this project. Hermes is considered in Greek mythology as the God of travel, communication and language. The grantees will act as “messengers” between the Middle East and Europe, promoting better knowledge and understanding between peoples