The partner countries involved in this proposal, namely Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq (but also some of the Programme Countries involved, such as Turkey and Germany) are experiencing a very critical situation due to the high number of refugees present on their territory: most of these are Syrian citizens, and include a high percentage of former University students who had to interrupt their academic curriculum.The main specific objective of RESCUE is to help the Partner Country Universities in structuring an effective response to this problem, by creating ad hoc units (the Refugee Student Operational Support Unit – R-SOS), whose mission is to structure specific services supporting the refugee students in resuming their academic training path. The analysis carried out by the target Universities has shown that each one of them has different approaches and constraints vis-à-vis this problem, therefore ad hoc solutions must be implemented in each one of them.Hence each EU university with an experience in dealing with this issue has cooperated with the Universities of one specific MENA Country: TU Berlin supported the Lebanese Universities, Aydin University supported the Jordanian Universities whereas Barcelona University supported the Iraqi Universities.One major change in the partnership composition was made in order to increase the project impact in terms of refugees to be reached: in January 2019 the Lebanese International University was added as a partner and had to make a big effort to catch up with the other partners. Once the R-SOS units have become operational during the first half of 2019, the services they deliver help the refugee students in resuming their academic training path, in some cases by accessing the standard curricula on the same basis as all the other students, in some other cases by following ad hoc training courses providing them with basic skills and competencies useful for employment purposes.Therefore the setting up of the R-SOS units is helping in improving the situation of the refugee students either by supporting them in getting a job in the hosting countries either in preparing them for returning to their origin country once the crisis is over.

The overall concept of our proposal is “Art of science” for both years respectively taking place on Friday 26 Septemper 2014 and Friday 25 September 2015 where we intend to generate an awareness and interest towards science by bringing scientists and all sections of the public close to each together in Istanbul, Turkey. Here, with this concept, we would like to enhance public recognition of researchers and their work, encourage active participation into scientific planning, experimentation and outcomes in one approache. Our approach is to assist the participants to be acquainted with how they “live, love, fun and learn” science in their daily life. For example, we will present them opportunities to the see how science affects our life, to experience the science in daily life by hands-on and minds-on activities, and to shape their view of science as a way of knowing. The participants will also have the opportunity to be introduced to the latest scientific developments in various fields by meeting and discussing with scientists. Vice versa, the researchers will find chance to make their work publically known. Furthermore, students at all levels will make meaning of their science courses, feel themselves closer to science and scientists, and eventually become more confident about science. Additional idea of the researchers’ night is to recognize the participants to be aware of the role of European Union framework programmes, the impact and effect they have had on the well-being of the public. This idea will be introduced by several activities involving participants and facilities demonstrated to the participants in EU corner.

"<< Objectives >>We aim to develop a new methodology by integrating STEM subjects with storytelling (art) for the development of 21st century ""4 C's"" skills (critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creative thinking skills of students aged 14-18). The specific aims of the project are to encourage STEM + A (Storytelling) activities, to prepare guidelines for STEM + A (Storytelling) and to share good practices.<< Implementation >>A National Gap Analysis Report will be prepared by conducting focus meetings with teachers, students, parents and sector representatives in Turkey, the Netherlands and Italy. In line with the National Gap Analysis Report, the ""STEM + A (Storytelling) Guide"" will be prepared and tested with the partners. Good practices will be shared with sample lesson scenarios and materials obtained from the pilot application (sample LS, materials from the pilot implementation process, videos, photos..)<< Results >>A National Gap Analysis Report will be prepared in relation to the development of 4C's: critical thinking, communication, cooperation and creative thinking skills of the students between the ages of 14-18. The ""STEM + A (Storytelling) Guide"" prepared according to the data obtained from this report will be the most important result of our project. The sharing of good practice examples that emerged as a result of the pilot implementation will be another output of our project."

The overarching goal of INsPIRe is to support modernisation and internationalisation of the Governance system of HEIs in Iraq with a specific focus on planning and programming systems. Due to the recent crisis and political economic situation, the current higher education system requires a strong intervention to face the weakness of the existing governance system. The WP1- Update of needs analysis requires the realisation of a comprehensive literature review aimed at identifying the existing governance frameworks and the development of an update needs analysis in Iraq HE system. The WP2- Training and capacity building activities for internal staff in quality assurance and strategic planning aims at realising capacity building through: online training; 3-days training study visits at four European Universities; 3-days training field missions in Iraq; 10 ToT (one per Iraqi university). Once the training section will end, the partners are ready to start the WP3- Implementation of changes and best practices through action plans, where the trainees and their institutions will be involved in the development of action plans that should be implemented by each HEI. According to the relevant literature on higher education governance, internationalization and wide participation of stakeholders are trend topic that guarantee a better governance. Thus the WP4 provides a specific focus on the management and governance of international relation through the development of useful tools and techniques. The WP5 provides the set up of a formal consultative body within HEIs, in order to assure a better coordination between the systems of higher education, and private/public sector, also ensuring the involvement of other non-state actors. In term of impact at short term, improvement and strength of skills and knowledge on innovative governance practices and strategic planning topics will be ensured as well as on long term the development of an ongoing process of self- improvement.