 The major set of reforms that began under the rule of Isma 'il Pasha continued under the British occupation . Muhammad Mahdi al- ' Abbasi , sheikh al @-@ Azhar , had instituted a set of reforms in 1872 intended to provide structure to the hiring practices of the university as well as to standardize the examinations taken by students . Further efforts to modernize the educational system were made under Hilmi 's rule during the British occupation . The mosque 's manuscripts were gathered into a centralized library , sanitation for students improved , and a regular system of exams instituted . From 1885 , other colleges in Egypt were placed directly under the administration of the al @-@ Azhar Mosque . 
