The proposed partnership builds on a consortium comprising 20 University partners with a broad geographic distribution that previously has received funding from Erasmus Mundus Action 2 for Yemen, Iran, and Iraq. Project objective: The aim of this project is to further develop the ongoing vibrant exchange programme with professional graduates and staff, who experience international opportunities and gain qualifications and knowledge in education, culture, languages, skills for economic development, as well as social and cultural empowerment. This enhances the political, cultural, educational and economical links between the European Union (EU) and the Third-countries of Lot 9 (Iran, Iraq and Yemen). The main objectives of the proposed project are to: 1. implement the proposed mobility scheme. Standards and routines have been developed within the consortium and are accepted among the partners. 2. strengthen each partner institution. Both the academic and administrative aspects of the institutions are expected to be strengthened through the mobility and the return home of students and staff. The exchange of ideas between scholarship holders and other students/staff and between partner representatives at consortium meetings, will contribute to internationalization and increased possibilities to exchange ideas on how to best collaborate. 3. stimulate a process for harmonization of educational systems through Bologna-awareness-seminars and other meetings. The consortium has reached a stage where achievements may be consolidated but also further developed such as quality of mobility procedures. Importantly, the consortium is prepared to enhance the level of activity in the area of harmonisation of higher education and its systems with tools such as recognition and quality assurance of mobility and higher education. The L9C have an increased interest, partly due to the challenges the Erasmus Mundus mobility has created, in promoting a harmonization process to facilitate international collaboration and improve the system for higher education. 4. contribute to the empowerment and further development of the third countries. Academic studies will qualify individuals with high competence for leadership and governance roles within national, regional and local settings. The acquired competence will be contributing to the sustainable development of the L9C and the institutions. Increased academic capacity will also enhance the research capacity to pose questions and analyse them, to improve teaching and education systems which together are very important pieces in sustainable development, poverty alleviation, gender equality, cultural diversity, international understanding, and peace.