Beyond developing knowledge, the University has an important role to play in the economic development and employability of the students they have taught, in particular PhD students that produce scientific results for the University and who can be a source of innovation and generate jobs. However, in several North African Universities, the lack of infrastructure dedicated to Innovation and Technology Transfer or, when it exists, the need to consolidate its position in the Innovation chain ecosystem, is creating a fundamental problem in the world race for Innovation and University performance. This is particularly pressing as the needs of businesses in terms of support for innovation are developing. In answer to this, the SATELIT project offers solutions locally (reinforcing skills and the exchange of good practices), nationally (the modernisation of national programmes) and on a regional scale (polarising Education and Innovation) by mobilising the driving forces.The SATELIT project will involve 22 partners from 6 countries in the Western Mediterranean (France, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria) : 12 Universities, 3 Ministries of Higher Education, 3 Chambers of Commerce and Industry, 2 Research Centres, 1 local Authority, 1 University Association.Its wider objectives are to- bring together Higher Education and the Socio-economic world in North Africa- consolidate the Triangle of Knowledge and Innovation- reinforce skills and the exchange of good practices- increase the employability of PhD students

The extension of the responsibilities of universities recommended by the university reforms and the strategy ’Maroc Innovation’ in Morocco require the definition of a overarching tool combining the teaching of transversal competencies, research and innovation. The 3-year project INSITES coordinated by UH1 et having support from both the MESRSFC and MCINET will associate 17 partners from Morocco and EU member states. It aims at enhancing the university governance by institutionalizing the structures for innovation, knowledge transfer and valorisation of research. This should be approved by the CPU and the university councils. The results attended:- Assessment of the current situation of training methods for transversal competencies in Moroccan universities;- Summary of national strategies on innovation, valorisation and entrepreneurship;-Benchmarking of European experiences;- Competency references and guidelines for good management of the SITES;- Decisions of the Councils of Moroccan Universities on the approval of the setting up of the SITES and determining the chosen profiles based on the formerly approved references;- Training manual for specific transversal competencies in the Moroccan context in line with the European referencies;- Training sessions for training the trainers;- The SITES functions operationally at the Moroccan Universities;- Data base of trainers as resource persons for the generalization of experiences for all Moroccan universities;- National platform of the SITES serving as interface between institutional and economic actors;- Evaluation of the SITES;- A Communication and a Project QA Plan will be set up to ensure the quality, the dissemination and the sustainability of the project beyond its implementation period. A Charter of Good Conduct will be defined to ensure the involvement of all stakeholders and that the realization of activities of the project complies with the general rules and good project management principles.

"We are witnessing today the emergence of development and modernization projects planned for the railway sector. The strategic plan for development of the Maghreb countries Railways seeks to raise the rail productivity for both passenger and freight. A need to develop a predictive maintenance policy in the early phases of this plan must be accompanied by a high level of skills and human capital in terms of expertise both qualitatively and quantitatively.The Regional Transport Action Plan (RTAP) envisages the extension of the major Trans-European Transport Axes to the Mediterranean region and to recruit and train a large numbers of people to renew the potential of expertise and supervision in the sector.On the other hand, the mapping of the proposed higher education deserves to be developed in terms of specialized training in the railway sector, particularly in infrastructure maintenance and security to meet the needs of these extended infrastructures and the recruitment of the management staff and experts.In this context, we propose to develop modules for insertion into teaching cycles ""Engineer or Master"" and into the field of railway infrastructure maintenance. This project will focus on an approach based on digital pedagogy. It aims to develop a dozen of training modules in e-learning, blended and serious game that will be integrated into the curriculum of engineering courses and Masters of the universities partners. For the sustainability of this project, it is planned to create platforms for research and training and a railway-training observatory. In terms of transfer of knowledge developed, the project will lead to the creation of a micro-enterprise for the development of pedagogical tools for the sector."

MIMIr is primarly designed to aid, assist and soccour partner universities in South Neighbouring Countries to understand the status quo of their innovation and research, performance, efficacy, and practices and devise pathways to overcome impediments, hindrances, fiascos and pitfalls that prevent them from achieving recognised stature in the international landscape. The core tread to accomplish this goal is to measure existing innovation and research activities, to gauge regulatory framework management, administration and tools, and to scope opportunities for overcoming bureaucratic obstacles, stimulating conditions and elevate mindsets. Coupled to provision of comparative analysis to European processes, practices and state-of-the-art, the consortium will identify areas for change, targets for improvement, and a trajectory to excel. Accordingly, partner universities will be informed on the organisation of management of innovation and research in European universities, understand present model, principles, and standards, and embrace and partake the opportunity for support, guidance and corroboration from European partners.

"The AMEL project, which means ""hope"" in Morocco, has as its main objective to strengthen the role of the HEIs in the development of the economy by contributing to the establishment of a national framework governing lifelong learning (LLL) to improve its practice and accessibility. There is a political will in Morocco to develop the LLL which has not yet been implemented (Action Plan 17-22). Public universities offer continuous training without regulatory framework and the validation of prior experience is not practiced despite the pressing and growing demand of the Moroccan working environment. The main achievements planned by AMEL are: - the implementation of a national charter of the LLL for Moroccan universities, - the implementation of common procedures for Validation of prior experience,- the creation of a network of experts in the LLL familiar with the procedures established at national level for continuing education and Validation of the acquisition of experience.The project consortium was built around three European HEIs, each with its own expertise in the field: Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers- France, which will be the project leader, Royal Institute of Technology- Sweden and National School of Public Works-France. To ensure the success of the project and the national and regional appropriation of the various project achievements, all the stakeholders in Morocco are associated: nine universities (8 public and 1 private), Ministry of Education, companies represented by the CGEM, Association of Women Business Leaders of Morocco and National agency for evaluation and quality assurance. The AMEL project will offer to those who entered early into working life, a chance to access qualifying training, diplomas and degrees in higher education. By responding more effectively to the needs and expectations of individuals, businesses and society in general, the project will promote the rapprochement between academic and professional qualifications."