There is a growing interconnectedness and rise in cooperation between societies and machines, a cooperation meant to serve and be adapted to humans and not the other way around. It is changing how global challenges may be met: climate change, urbanisation, energy efficiency and optimisation, sustainability. Smart and sustainable cities (SSCs) are heralded as a possible, significant means to face these challenges. A more efficient urban metabolism requires a better understanding of the concept of sustainability, ecology and social coherence, amongst other things. This is also where the educational challenge lays and what makes the industry and public authorities so interested in finding employees that have the potential to manage broad solutions and complex ecosystems. In this context, the SCALE project will develop an innovative ecosystem in Asia consisting of:- Micro-courses/micro-credentials to train Theoretical, Natural, Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technologies graduates to address the new challenges posed by the ever-increasing needs for environmental awareness, energy efficiency and concerns posed by urbanisation and technological developments. The micro-courses will introduce innovative elements to the existing curricula. - Professionals’ courses / MOOCs, introducing dual learning systems bridging tertiary studies with upper secondary VET to boost graduates' employability. - Practical training schemes, internships, and study of real-life cases in business and industry.- Capacity building workshops for academic, technical, and administrative staff to support HEIs to develop and implement the institutional reforms.- Knowledge triangle integration, establishing new collaborations and enhancing the nature, content and types of partnerships with businesses, regional authorities, research organisations, governmental bodies, NGOs and other societal partners.- Exchange of good practices through enhanced networking and mutual learning.