OBJECTIVE
The main objective of accreditation is to ensure that the accredited engineering
programmes carried out by universities in Malaysia satisfy the minimum academic
requirements for registration as a graduate engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia
(BEM) and for admission to membership of IEM in the grade of Graduate
THE GENERIC ATTRIBUTES OF A GRADUATE
Graduates from an accredited programme should have the following attributes:
(a) ability to acquire and apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals;
(b) ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the
community at large;
(c) in-depth technical competence in a specific engineering discipline;
(d) ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution;
(e) ability to utilise a systems approach to design and evaluate operational
performance;
(f) understanding of the principles of sustainable design and development;
(g) understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and commitment to
them;
(h) ability to function effectively as an individual and in a group with the capacity to
be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member;
(i) understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of
a professional engineer, and the need for sustainable development; and
(j) expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning, and possessing/acquiring
4.4.2 Programme Structure and Content
The programme structure and content must be such that graduates acquire the generic
attributes listed in Section 4.2, and the programme objectives are met. Typically an
engineering programme should have the following elements:
(i) mathematics, science, engineering principles, skills and tools (computing,
experimentation) appropriate to the discipline of study.
(ii) engineering design and projects.
(iii) integrated exposure to professional engineering practice (including management
and professional ethics).
(iv) electives in related engineering fields
4.4.3 External Benchmarking
The university shall appoint external examiners/advisors to ensure that the programme
quality and standard reflect relevant best practices.
4.5 EXPOSURE TO PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Students must be exposed to professional engineering practice integrated throughout their
programme to enable them to develop an engineering approach and to gain an
appreciation of professional engineering ethics. The purpose is to facilitate their entry into
the profession and to better prepare their capability to develop the attributes listed in
Section 4.2. This exposure shall include industrial training in an engineering environment
outside the teaching establishment
In addition, exposure to professional engineering practice may also be obtained through a
combination of the following:
(i) use of guest lecturers;
(ii) use of staff with industrial experience;
(iii) courses on professional ethics and conduct;
(iv) industry visits;
(v) an industry-based final year project;
(vi) regular use of a logbook in which experiences are recorded.
4.9 BENEFITS OF ACCREDITATION
Accreditation provides: -
(i) confirmation that the programme meets the criteria for accreditation;
(i) public knowledge of programmes accredited by EAC;
(ii) a guarantee to prospective students that the university’s engineering programme
provides entry into the profession;
(iii) a basis for international comparability, reciprocal recognition and graduate
mobility;
(iv) a constructive feedback to the government and university of the basic
requirements of a professional engineering education, and the level of resources
reasonably required to meet these requirements;
(v) consultative feedback on the design of new programmes and modes of delivery,
and assistance in the promotion of innovation and good educational practice.
6.0 CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION
An engineering programme will be assessed by EAC for the purpose of graduate
registration with BEM, and graduate membership with IEM. The assessment involves a
review/evaluation of the following:
(a) academic programme which includes the curriculum and syllabus, laboratory work,
industrial training and project work;
(b) the academic staff and students;
(c) learning facilities (library, computer, laboratories, etc.);
(d) quality management system.
10.2.2 Assessment
The assessment includes the auditing and confirmation of the report written by the
university covering such matters as:-
(a) programme aims and philosophy, structure, curricula (content, balance, coverage
of core material, etc.), appropriateness to the engineering profession in Malaysia,
content of laboratory work, project work, opportunities for non-technical subjects,
balance of lectures, tutorials, laboratories etc.;
(b) academic staff qualifications, research activities, publications, industrial
experience and contact, staff loading, motivation and enthusiasm;
(c) departmental resources and structure, financial provision, industry involvement,
accommodation, laboratory facilities and computing services;
(d) assessment procedures, level of examinations, programme work and projects;
(e) student entry standards, numbers accepted, selection procedures, involvement
with industry, employment patterns on graduation, enthusiasm and motivation;
(f) support staff (demonstrators, technicians, etc.); and
(g) quality of teaching /learning.
The panel should examine the above aspects as part of its normal quality system
procedures.
the capacity to do so.