Based on its constitutional duties, the MOHE has over the past 20 years, worked on improving higher education through developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic plan that reflects the uniform strategic thinking within the ministry for reforming higher education in Egypt and addressing challenges. This took place over three phases. The first started in 1989 with the implementation of the Engineering and Technical Education Project (ETEP) until 1998. The second began in 1998 until 2002 with a comprehensive strategic plan to reform higher education as a whole. Since then, the implementation of this plan was conducted within the framework of the endorsed strategy over several phases, the first starting in 2002 until 2009 and was entitled HEEP.

In 1989, the MOHE prepared for this phase by a project to establish two technical colleges in Cairo and Beni Sweif to graduate distinguished cadres of technical education teachers. Moreover, the reform of all faculties of engineering in the Egyptian public universities focused on the provision of necessary labs and workshops to improve their performance. This phase ended by signing the Loan Agreement No. 3137 with the WB in May 1990 for a $30.5 million fund with a GOE contribution of $8 million from the local component, which was increased to $14 million throughout implementation. The project implementation phase started in June 1991 until June 1998. It was successfully implemented through the PMU of the ETEP, which was established especially for the implementation of the MOHE engineering and technical education projects funded by foreign organizations.

The successful implementation of the ETEP and the positive evaluation by the WB constituted a strong motive for the continuity of the higher education reform process through the PMU. Accordingly, the ministerial decree No. 1304, dated 1998 was issued for the PMU to continue until June 1999 to finalize implementation of the WB Loan. Subsequently, another decree was issued extending it to 2000. A committee chaired by the Minister was formed for the reform of higher education and comprised representatives of government and private universities, higher and university education experts, and high level stakeholders in higher education.

Six sub-committees were also formed to conduct the necessary studies in order to set up a comprehensive methodology and determine the guiding principles for reform. These committees developed a comprehensive strategic plan for the reform of the entire Egyptian higher education until 2017. In February 2000, the plan was presented at the National Conference for Higher Education under the auspices of the President of Egypt in February, 2000.  The strategy was built within the government's vision for higher education in the 21st century and aimed at achieving the strategic objectives of reform.  During this phase a series of grants were provided by various organizations in order to cover the costs of preparing the reform strategy for higher education. These grants were as follows:

• A grant of $600,000 from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the preparation of the strategy (1998-2001).
• A grant of $500,000 from the Arab Gulf Fund, founded by Prince Talal for technical education training and developing curricula (2001-2004).
• A grant of $ 400,000 from the Ford Foundation of America to set the principles for quality assurance in higher education institutions (HEIs) and the preparation of the feasibility study for the establishment of the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Education (NAQAAE) to accredit educational institutions in Egypt (2001-2006).

• Responding to the current and future needs of social development, job market, and production.
• Producing a graduate who has the characteristics required for the 21st century as follows:
• Possessing on-going, self-learning skills.
• Reflecting an all-rounded personalities that reflects scientific, technical, intellectual, and cultural knowledge and skills, and capable of sustainable development.
• Ability to utilize scientific research and to develop scientific competencies.
• Possessing effective communication skills.
• Asserting self-confidence and demonstrating competitive capabilities.
• Ability to think critically and solve problems.
• Preserving cultural identity and national language.
• Abiding by professional and scientific ethics.