Mutual Recognition of Engineering Educational Programs in the Washington Accord Andrew M. Wo Deputy CEO, Institute of Engineering Education Taiwan (IEET) Deputy Vice-President for R&D, National Taiwan University Chairman, Washington Accord 1 APEC Engineer Workshop Feasibility and Implementation of a Centralized Data Bank of APEC Engineers Taipei, Sept , 2015 Outline 1.Principle behind mutual recognition of engineering educational programs 2.How Washington Accord achieves mutual recognition of engineering programs 3.Concluding remarks 2 Outline 1.Principle behind mutual recognition of engineering educational programs 2.How Washington Accord achieves mutual recognition of engineering programs 3.Concluding remarks 3 What is Mutual Recognition? Mutual recognition of engineering educational (degree or diploma) programs is an agreement whereby two or multi-party acknowledge(s) others programs and provide them with legal or professional benefits. Framework to enable Mutual Recognition: Must have mutual benefits Must have an agreement (standard) among parties concern 4 5 Canada USA Aus. NZ UK Ireland HK S. Africa Japan Singapore Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) Korea Malaysia Turkey Russia Original Signatories 1989 (6) (5) (4) (2) Provisional Signatories (6) India Pakistan Bangladesh China Sri Lanka Philippines Washington Accord Signatories (17) and Provisional Signatories (6) Costa Rica Peru National Standards IEA Standards Relationship between IEA & National Standards Accredited Program Training And Experience Practice Engineering Education Accords: Graduate Attributes Meet Standard For Professional Competency Observe Code of Conduct and Maintain CPD Meet Standard for Engineering Education Professional Competencies Courtesy Hu Hanrahan ECSA Outline 1.Principle behind mutual recognition of engineering educational programs 2.How Washington Accord achieves mutual recognition of engineering programs 3.Concluding remarks 8 How Washington Accord Achieves Mutual Recognition Washington Accord Signatories enters into an agreement whereby they mutually recognized programs accredited by other signatories to be substantially equivalent to that of their own programs. To achieve mutual recognition among WA Signatories: 1.Ensure that the accredited programs attain the standard of the Graduate Attributes; 2.This assessment is performed under substantially equivalent procedure by all other signatories; 3.Mutual recognition is automatic once the above are achieved 9 Graduate Attributes 11 Graduate Attribute Overview Knowledge-oriented 1: Using engineering knowledge Skill-oriented Group 5: Modern Tool Usage 9: Individual and teamwork 10: Communication 11: Project/Engineering Management Attitude-oriented Group 6: The Engineer in Society 7: Environment and Sustainability 8: Ethics 12: Life long learning Problem-solving Skill Group 2: Problem analysis 3: Design/development of solutions 4: Investigations Defined Level of Problem Solving Defined Knowledge Profile Supporting Statement for GA 12 WK1: A systematic, theory-based understanding of the natural sciences applicable to the discipline WK3: A systematic, theory-based formulation of engineering fundamentals required in the engineering discipline WK4: Engineering specialist knowledge theoretical frameworks and bodies of knowledge for practice areas in the discipline; much is at the forefront of the discipline. WK5: Knowledge that supports engineering design in a practice area WK6: Knowledge of engineering practice (technology) in the discipline WK2: Conceptually- based mathematics, including numerical analysis, statistics and aspects of computer and information science to support analysis and modelling in the discipline WK7: The role of engineering in society issues in practice in the discipline: ethics professional responsibility for public safety; economic, social, cultural, environmental impacts and sustainability of engineering Washington Accord Knowledge Profile components Substantial Equivalence The objective of using substantial equivalence is to avoid prescriptive standards requiring detailed compliance Washington Accord Definition: Substantial equivalence of engineering degree programs accredited by WA signatories: while different programs might take a different approach in engineering education, the same overall educational outcomes are achieved. Substantial equivalence is also applied at the professional level: overall outcomes are effectively to the same standard, even if achieved or assessed by different means 13 Meaning of Substantial Equivalence Graduates from substantially equivalent programs A and B are able to proceed to further professional development toward substantially equivalent professional competency levels 14 Agency A Accredited Programme Training And Experience Independent Practice Agency B Accredited Programme Substantial Equivalence Training And Experience Independent Practice Substantial Equivalence Jurisdiction A 15 Steps in Achieving Mutual Recognition in Washington Accord 1.An organization forms/modifies its outcomes-based criteria using the Graduate Attributes (as best you can) 2.An organization has procedures substantially equivalent to that of other WA signatories 3.Accredit programs based on approved criteria an procedure (items 1 & 2 above) 4.Apply to become Provisional Signatories of the WA 5.Seek help of mentor during process of fine-tuning criteria and procedures 6.Apply to become signatory of the WA when ready 7.Once a signatory of WA, mutual recognition is granted to accredited programs from the date of signatory status Malaysia Recognized Taiwans Engineering Degree Programs BEM recognizes all engineering programs accredited by Institute of Engineering Taiwan (IEET) from the date when IEET was accepted as the Washington Accord signatory, i.e. since 2007. Canada Recognized Taiwans Engineering Degree Programs The Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) has recommended to their legal licensing authority that graduates of programs accredited by IEET be granted the same recognition, rights and privileges as those granted to graduates of programs accredited by CEAB. In Dec. 29, 2009, Singapore modified the Professional Engineers Act to grant graduates of accredited programs by IEET: as fully meeting the academic requirements for registration as a professional engineer in Singapore. Professional Engineers Act (Chapter 253): Qualifications specified in Division I of Part IV of the Schedule Singapore Recognized Taiwans Engineering Degree Programs Issues on Recognition The world is complex with different culture and systems Some signatories may face difficulties in recognizing other signatories program due to local issues Bi-lateral agreement is an option between two countries Multi-party agreement as well Mutual recognition is preferred, if feasible. 19 Conclusions The International Engineering Alliance (IEA) has become an authority on educational and professional engineering standards The Washington Accord is the worlds authority in accreditation of engineering educational degree programs Accredited engineering programs are recognized by other Washington Accord signatories once the organization becomes a signatory, i.e. programs recognized from the time signatory status is granted Some signatories may face difficulties in recognizing other signatories program due to a range of issues Bi-lateral or multi-party agreements are options when mutual recognition is not feasible 20 Thank you very much !!! 21