Introduction

Higher Education Enhancement Project Fund (HEEPF) is a mechanism within the national higher education enhancement strategic plan (HEEP). HEEPF is part of the loan agreement ,loan number 4658 EGT, dated April 2002, between the ARE and IBRD to support and Finance priority areas of the strategic plan of the higher Education Enhancement Project HEEP. The amount of the loan allocated for HEEPF Grants equal to 12,000,000 USD that was increased to 13,000,000 USD.

HEEPF Vision

Active participation in the implementation of the strategic plan of continuous higher education enhancement through competitive mechanisms to achieve distinction in Egyptian Education institutions and upgrade them to reach the international standards.

HEEPF Mission

Creating mechanisms characterized by effective administration and transparency to finance, support, follow up the implementation, appraise the performance, and ensure the sustainability of higher education enhancement competitive projects. Starting with the basic foundation of educational institutions to achieve the high quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of higher education in the national universities and institutes through enhancing administration systems, restructuring, academic enhancement, and community engagement to qualify graduates who satisfy the needs of the labor market and compete on the regional and world levels.

HEEPF Main Objective

Support improvements in the QUALITY, RELEVANCE & EFFICIENCY in Higher Education through establishing a sustainable competitive mechanism among Egyptian universities and Technical Colleges (TCs).

HEEPF Specific Objectives

• Creating a competitive environment that would enhance and improve H.E. Institutions (departments/faculties/institutions and universities).
• Encouraging the bottom–up, autonomous and decentralized approach (self-improving mechanism) for sustainable quality learning improvement.
• Improving capabilities of institutions and academic communities to upgrade and consider modern scientific fields of specialization, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and innovative topics.
• Strengthening collaboration and integration between HE Institutions and the community/industry.
• Enhancing the inter/intra-management and administration information systems in the H.E. Institutions.
• Optimizing the use and increasing the availability of common knowledge resources and lab facilities & infrastructure.
• Empowering faculty members at public universities and HEIs to acquire basic skills needed for managing and implementing reform plans.
• Cooperate with other HE enhancing projects through HEEP and other funded projects to implement the national strategic plan.

heepf approved implementation plan

The approved implementation plan for HEEPF includes the following main activities:

• Preparation of Basic HEEPF Documentation.
• Awareness Building & Dissemination of Information.
• Needs Assessment Studies and redefinition of priorities for application.
• Five Rounds of Request For Proposals RFP each contains:
• General& Specific Workshops and Seminars.
• RFP Preparation& Submission.
• Peer Reviewers Activities.
• Selection, Awarding and Grants Contracting.
• Implementation Phase of the Funded Projects
• HEEPF Management, Monitoring and Evaluation Reports.
• Quality Control& Monitoring of the funded Projects.
• Evaluation& Impact Assessments for the Funded Projects.
• Trends Assessments & Tracer Studies and HEEPF Conferences.