The project aims at creating integrative, multi-disciplinary, people-centered, EG/EU accredited undergraduate and professional development programs in Architecture and Urban Design for developing a new generation, who is capable to initiate a paradigm shift in the role of architecture and urban design from aesthetic-dominated into an INTEGRATIVE multidisciplinary, PEOPLE-CENTRED domain, building on solid ICT enabling technology foundation, and apply acquired knowledge and skills in BLENDING architecture and urban design core knowledge, with SOCIAL and ENVIRONMENTAL essential ingredients to initiate educated, scientific-based migration from dominating informal patterns in EG into an enabling, supportive and adaptive environment. The undergraduate program (344 ECTS), 92 ECTS of which are university-core courses, and the discipline-specific 252 ECTS are constructed in a modular design, integrating architecture and urban planning core courses (144 ECTS) with Structural and Construction Systems (18 ECTS), Building Ecology (24 ECTS), Human Behavior (12 ECTS), Contemporary City (12 ECTS) and a supporting Practicum modules, bridging the traditional gaps among different professional stakeholders in the field. Virtual Architecture Studio for immersive shared learning environment hosting 3D scanned EG sites is developed. 4 professional development courses (6 ECTS each) targeting practitioners in integrative applications in Building Ecology, Human Behavior and Contemporary City are developed. The targets are undergraduate students in schools of engineering and fine/applied arts as well as professional architects. The plan is to start running the program starting second year of the project in parallel at participating EG institutions to account for fine adjustments. A gap analysis will be developed and followed by comprehensive course development. A wide community impact is expected as outlined by various stakeholders from the higher and pre-university education communities.

HEIs in the MENA region have been struggling to uphold their functions, as demonstrated by high unemployment rates for university graduates and lack of community engagement and public debate. Given the expected increase in university enrollment and the global progression of technological advancements, HEIs need to move towards more value-added activities to produce graduates who are capable to join the labour market, prepared to participate in research, and aware of contemporary issues such as Sustainable Urban Mobility. This project intends to strengthen the relations between HEIs and the wider economic and social environment through a forum for UPGRADE. UPGRADE aims at directing the development of higher education and research, and involving transport businesses, to address the transport challenges in Partner Countries and serve the needs of unprivileged minorities of society. Being a hot topic on the international agenda, UPGRADE puts emphasis on the global refugee crisis that evolved lately in the EU and the MENA region. In particular, addressing the accessibility and mobility challenges of refugees in their host countries is selected as a case study. The project blends theoretical knowledge and best practices from different fields to tackle a real-world case study through the involvement of NGOs, local voluntary associations, and the business sector. Multidisciplinary courses will be taught at HEIs of Partner Countries after a process of curriculum reforms and lab developments. Project outputs include developed courses, upgraded facilities, training of trainers and students, transport business model, and publications. The diversity of courses and the real-life exposure will allow students to have the chance to get out of the cocoons of their universities, spread their wings, and test their ability to soar. As such, UPGRADE responds to a regional educational need and an international commitment.