GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION ACCREDITATION

ABSTRACT-Engineering is an international activity, thus engineering educationshould be considered as an international affair as well. From the beginning of thepresent century, progression of engineers outside their own country, study of highereducation or finding jobs, has stood out as an undeniable fact. With this taken intoconsideration, the education acquired by engineering students should have a minimumstandard. During the last two decades, an international movement has been establishedfor the review of engineering education, accreditation of its outcomes, and making theaccreditation systems in different countries converge to a more or less unique standard.A common element in almost all these systems is shifting the education focus fromeducation inputs (what the university presents) to education outputs or outcomes (whatthe students have acquired). Therefore, a list of minimum outcomes expected from anengineering graduate has been determined. In addition to having the necessaryknowledge in mathematics, sciences and engineering fundamentals, ability to designand execute engineering operations, the list also emphasizes on the skills such aseffective communication and teamwork, and positive attitude toward constant educationand professional ethics. Agreement on the basic outcomes of engineering education hasprovided the essential basis for achieving a homogenous accreditation model in theinternational level. In the present paper, after a review of engineering educationaccreditation procedures in various countries and in the international level, suggestionsto promote Iran’s place in this international movement are proposed.