The situation for female academics in Mediterranean region is characterized by very low percentages of representation of women at mid and senior levels at HEIs in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Female academics can contribute to building and creating crucial impact in their HEIs. FREE aims to establish strategic focus in HEIs for CBHE and improving performance of female academics & building female role models in HE. FREE also aims to develop HEIs capacity and culture and supporting mechanisms for establishment of equality and sustainability centers to support female academics and students. FREE also aims to develop research centers in the scope gender equality, sustainability and female empowermentFREE should develop the following outcomes: 1. Female academics are characterized by capacity and equipped with knowledge and experience as executive managers and institution leaders. 2. Female academics and students are characterized with institutional power, prepared with resources and knowledge of seeking professional support to deal different forms of inequality and discrimination3. Development of scientific research in the scope of gender equality, sustainability and female empowerment The project should develops the following impact:1. A generation of female academics characterized by human capacity, technical competencies, and managerial and leadership experience which would enable them to pursue career advancement. Higher percentages of female academics in workforce and achieving better representation at the entry, middle and senior levels. A generation of female academics characterized by power, higher levels of self-confidence, self-esteem and self-actualization. 2. Establishment of ffective HEIs which emphasizes on gender equality and sustainable institutions which have egalitarian organizational cultures3. Establishment of research centers in the scope of Sustainability and gender Equality at higher education institutions in LB, JR&SY.

MORALE is a Joint Project in Syria & Lebanon.Specific Obj.: 1) To provide the NGO labour market sector with high skilled professionals trained to effectively manage & operate in NGO environments by means of modernising Social & Behavioural Sciences related curricula and by offering LLL courses targeting NGOs professionals at partner universities; and 2) To raise the awareness on the key role of HE in the provision of high level competences of the future NGOs professionals and strengthen inter-institutional cooperation among HEIs, NGOs and governments through targeted networking actions.The project is in line with the National & Regional Priorities and the undeniable need to integrate and make the HE sector, specifically PC HEIs, the key players in the generation of the future NGOs (working with refugees) high skilled professionals and for the provision of LLL for NGOs staff for their skills update. MORALE brings together a complementary consortium composed by both HEIs and NGOs, with geographical balance that will produce the following main results:-In-depth Needs Analysis in the field of HE provision in Social & Behav. Sciences + NGOs management and operation at PCs-Intensive & Focused Capacity Building that will be also replicated in topics related with modern/innovative education provision in line with EU standards & to NGOs management & operation. - Modernisation & Delivery of Social & Behavioural Sciences Bachelors + LLL Courses at PC HEIs. The first targeted to bachelor students & LLL courses to current NGOs professionals, with innovative teaching methodology, use of ICT, multidisciplinary focus. -A Formative Space at PC HEIs will be equipped for a full learning experience for students & to allow NGOs professionals blended learning-“National Policy Paper on NGOs IinPCs” with crucial info to keep improving educational offer-Solid Network of PC HEIs/NGOs/authorities/students Activities have been defined to be endorsed, exploited and sustainable.

A survey distributed to health academics from Lebanese & Syrian partner universities indicate:1- Lack of digital skills among health educators combined with limited use of ICT in HE especially in Syrian universities with no digital plateform in all partner universities,2-Limited use of innovative T&L methods with widespread use of old T&L approaches with no or limited use of modern pedagogic methods especially in theoritical classes,3- limited online & blended learning in health disciplines.The logical consequances of those facts are:1- future doctors & pharmacist & health professionals are digital illterate,2. low level of engagement & understanding of taught materials & declining in attendence rates among health as lectures become boring & not interactive.3. Disadvantages groups such as refugees & Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are not following programs in health disciplines which results in important & most vulnerable segment of the society prevented from health education(HE) especially that other initiatives (such as Kiron) do no offer oppurtunities to follow programs in health disciplines. DIGIFIT aims at promoting excellence, creative & innovative digital T&L approaches through advanced ICT solutions to improve quality of HE to prepare a well-qualified graduates who are able to adapt to changing healthcare environment, meet societal expectations & sustain healthy environment in LB & SY.The main output of DIGIFIT is the establishment of 2 centers for innovative T&L in HE(one in LB & one in SY) that will serve as hubs for training health educators on novel digital skills & interactive T&L methods in addition to developing e-modules that exploit digital revolution. Those centers will enhance regional collaboration through sharing e-materials, teaching experience & best T&L practices. They will develop e-materials that stimulate critical thinking & imagination & make concepts easier to teach & understand achieving greater student focus & higher retention.