Accreditation of engineering programs: an evaluation of current practices in Malaysia

The curriculum for undergraduate engineering courses in Malaysia is becoming increasingly structured, following the global trend for quality assurance in engineering education, through accreditation schemes. Generally, the accreditation criteria call for the graduates from engineering programs to de...

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Main Authors: Mohd Said, S., Chow, Chee-Onn, Mokhtar, N., Ramli, R., Tuan Ya, T.M.Y.S., Mohd Sabri, M.F.
Format: Article
Published: International Journal of Technology and Design Education 2011
Subjects:
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author Mohd Said, S.
Chow, Chee-Onn
Mokhtar, N.
Ramli, R.
Tuan Ya, T.M.Y.S.
Mohd Sabri, M.F.
author_facet Mohd Said, S.
Chow, Chee-Onn
Mokhtar, N.
Ramli, R.
Tuan Ya, T.M.Y.S.
Mohd Sabri, M.F.
author_sort Mohd Said, S.
collection UM
description The curriculum for undergraduate engineering courses in Malaysia is becoming increasingly structured, following the global trend for quality assurance in engineering education, through accreditation schemes. Generally, the accreditation criteria call for the graduates from engineering programs to demonstrate a range of skills, from technical problem solving to soft skills and an aptitude for lifelong learning. In order to comply with these criteria, accreditation schemes are adopted as a quality assurance measure. This paper shall introduce the characteristics of the engineering accreditation scheme in Malaysia. The impact of the accreditation scheme on the quality of these engineering programs shall be evaluated. Data collection is in the form of benchmarking and questionnaires. The evaluation criteria shall be in terms of benefits to the institution, academic faculty, students, and the challenges encountered. A discussion on the evaluation shall include the supposed dichotomies which arise from this accreditation process, namely the compromise between research versus teaching; and the value of engineering knowledge whether as an academic pursuit or catering to industry's needs. Ultimately, this paper shall address a fundamental question related to undergraduate teaching in engineering: whether accreditation is a necessary prerequisite in maintaining high standards in engineering programs in Malaysia.
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spelling um.eprints-61382013-05-22T00:26:17Z http://eprints.um.edu.my/6138/ Accreditation of engineering programs: an evaluation of current practices in Malaysia Mohd Said, S. Chow, Chee-Onn Mokhtar, N. Ramli, R. Tuan Ya, T.M.Y.S. Mohd Sabri, M.F. TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering The curriculum for undergraduate engineering courses in Malaysia is becoming increasingly structured, following the global trend for quality assurance in engineering education, through accreditation schemes. Generally, the accreditation criteria call for the graduates from engineering programs to demonstrate a range of skills, from technical problem solving to soft skills and an aptitude for lifelong learning. In order to comply with these criteria, accreditation schemes are adopted as a quality assurance measure. This paper shall introduce the characteristics of the engineering accreditation scheme in Malaysia. The impact of the accreditation scheme on the quality of these engineering programs shall be evaluated. Data collection is in the form of benchmarking and questionnaires. The evaluation criteria shall be in terms of benefits to the institution, academic faculty, students, and the challenges encountered. A discussion on the evaluation shall include the supposed dichotomies which arise from this accreditation process, namely the compromise between research versus teaching; and the value of engineering knowledge whether as an academic pursuit or catering to industry's needs. Ultimately, this paper shall address a fundamental question related to undergraduate teaching in engineering: whether accreditation is a necessary prerequisite in maintaining high standards in engineering programs in Malaysia. International Journal of Technology and Design Education 2011 Article PeerReviewed Mohd Said, S. and Chow, Chee-Onn and Mokhtar, N. and Ramli, R. and Tuan Ya, T.M.Y.S. and Mohd Sabri, M.F. (2011) Accreditation of engineering programs: an evaluation of current practices in Malaysia. International Journal of Technology and Design Education. pp. 1-16. ISSN 0957-7572, DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-011-9180-6 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-011-9180-6>. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-80052031872&partnerID=40&md5=dba992a7ae38ec7010386b87f5381901 10.1007/s10798-011-9180-6
spellingShingle TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
Mohd Said, S.
Chow, Chee-Onn
Mokhtar, N.
Ramli, R.
Tuan Ya, T.M.Y.S.
Mohd Sabri, M.F.
Accreditation of engineering programs: an evaluation of current practices in Malaysia
title Accreditation of engineering programs: an evaluation of current practices in Malaysia
title_full Accreditation of engineering programs: an evaluation of current practices in Malaysia
title_fullStr Accreditation of engineering programs: an evaluation of current practices in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Accreditation of engineering programs: an evaluation of current practices in Malaysia
title_short Accreditation of engineering programs: an evaluation of current practices in Malaysia
title_sort accreditation of engineering programs an evaluation of current practices in malaysia
topic TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
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AT ramlir accreditationofengineeringprogramsanevaluationofcurrentpracticesinmalaysia
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