MIRI: Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) Faculty of Engineering and Science staff as well as from other universities and industries attended a webinar on ‘Engineering Accreditation Principles and Requirements’ recently.
The webinar was aimed at updating participants on the latest Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) standards introduced in 2020.
Ir Dr Siti Hawa Hamzah and Ir Dr Liew Chia Pao, who are the director and associate director respectively of the Engineering Accreditation Department of the EAC, presented the criteria for accreditation of engineering degree programmes, as well as the major changes in the latest EAC standards.
The EAC is a body delegated by the BEM to be the only recognised accrediting body for engineering degree programmes offered in Malaysia.
Membership of the EAC comprises representatives from the BEM, Institution of Engineers Malaysia, industry employers, Malaysian Qualifications Agency and Public Services Department (JPA).
The EAC’s primary responsibilities are to set policy and conduct approval and accreditation evaluations.
Since 2000, it has provided leadership and quality assurance in engineering higher education and currently accredits 190 programmes at 26 institutions of higher learning nationwide.
The EAC is also instrumental in ensuring Malaysia’s accredited engineering programmes are substantially equivalent to the engineering degrees of other signatories of the Washington Accord, the international agreement between bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programmes.
The Washington Accord establishes and benchmarks the standard for professional engineering education across the 20 signatory countries.
“The webinar was beneficial to the participants, helping to enhance their understanding of the importance of programme accreditation, as well as best practices in engineering education nationally and internationally,” said Prof Vu Tuong Thuy, Faculty of Engineering and Science dean.
He said Curtin Malaysia had undergone numerous engineering programme accreditations by the EAC through the years and all the engineering degree programmes offered had the advantage of being double-accredited by both the EAC and Engineers Australia, the accreditation authority for tertiary engineering education in Australia.
“Accreditation provides the assurance to potential employers and public at large as to the quality of graduates and the programmes offered at institutions of higher learning. As all graduate engineers must register with the BEM to practise engineering in Malaysia, having an EAC-accredited engineering degree is the prerequisite for registration.
“Furthermore, JPA allows only graduates from EAC-accredited programmes or those recognised by the EAC to join the Malaysian public service.”
Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science offers programmes in chemical, civil and construction, electrical and electronic, environmental, mechanical and petroleum engineering, as well related applied sciences such as applied geology, health, safety and environment, and construction management.
It also offers programmes in computing (software engineering and cyber security) and computer systems and networking.
For more information, visit curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
