2.0 Choosing the right Accrediting Body

Choosing the appropriate Accrediting Body is a very important process and involves understanding the type of degree programme to be accredited, namely the Utilities Engineering degree and the motivation for seeking accreditation.

The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.c) and Master of Engineering (M.Eng) programmes are Integrated Engineering programmes created to meet the demand for engineers who are able to deal with a wide range of mechanical and electrical problems.

The second consideration is the primary motivation for pursuing accreditation. It is the desire of the department that all its graduates being given access to all opportunities afforded to them. These include both employment and self-employed opportunities, higher learning opportunities and professional qualification opportunities to name a few.

The table below shows the accrediting bodies that were keenly investigated and how they compared to our key considerations. The scores vary from 0-5 with 0 being a strong yes and 5 being a strong no. 

Accrediting Body	Some considerations for accreditation process
	Accredits the specific Degree Programme	Widely known by local employers	Affords opportunities to graduates	Assistance in the accreditation process	Economical
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc ABET(US)	0	3	2	4	4
Institution of Engineering and Technology IET(UK)	5 (IET will only accredit the electrical component of the programme not the entire programme)	0	-	-	3
Institution of Mechanical Engineers IMechE (UK)	0	0	1	1	1

 

Based on the scores IMechE was determined to be the most suitable accrediting body for the Utilities Engineering department.

There is also the Caribbean Accreditation Council for Engineering and Technology (CACET) which is the newly formed accreditation body for engineering degree programs in the Caribbean region. The department will also be looking at this council as a possible accrediting body for future programmes.

1.0 Introduction

Utilities Engineering Department has embarked upon the process to programme accreditation. The coordinating team of this exciting and meticulous process has decided to keep everyone abreast with the use of this blog. The blog is also designed to provide insight and clarify any misconceptions as it relates to the accreditation process.

So what is programme accreditation

Accreditation of degree programmes by recognised professional and statutory bodies is a mark of assurance that the programmes meet the standards set by a profession. It involves periodic assessments and audits of the particular degree programme. A council is established to set and maintain the standards and overall requirements for accreditation for the engineering profession for a given region. Accreditation is an accepted and rigorous process that commands respect internationally. An accredited University degree programme also:

·         Provides market advantage to graduates from accredited programmes when they are seeking employment. Some employers require graduation from an accredited programme as a minimum qualification.

·         Provides leverage for the graduate seeking professional qualification

·         Through the accreditation process gives educational institutions a structured mechanism to assess, evaluate, and improve the quality of their programmes.

·         By being a developmental process offers the opportunity for more of a continuing dialogue between Licensed Members and educational institutions, rather than placing all the emphasis on the periodic accreditation exercise.

|Reference:  “THE ACCREDITATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence” Engineering Council