Accreditation and Curriculum Leadership: A Southern African perspective Roelf Sandenbergh University of Pretoria

What is the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) ? The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) is a statutory body established in terms of the Engineering Profession Act, 2000 (Act No. 46 of 2000). ECSA’s predecessor was established by the Engineering Profession of South Africa Act, 1990 (Act 114 of l990). ECSA sees itself in partnership with the State and the engineering profession to promote a high level of education and training of practitioners in the engineering profession so as to facilitate full recognition of professionalism in the engineering profession, both locally and abroad. It enjoys full autonomy although it is accountable to the State, the profession and the public for the fair and transparent administration of its business in the pursuit of its goals. Engineering Profession Act, 2000 (Act No. 46 of 2000) However, in pursuing this goal, ECSA has an implied responsibility to ensure that the interests of the profession (the practitioners) are also promoted. The interest of the public and the country can only be served properly if a profession is healthy and strong. For this reason ECSA promotes the well-being of the voluntary societies which are active in engineering. Since the societies are the instruments through which the interests of the practitioners are served, a good balance between "public interests" (ECSA) and "own interests" (Societies) should be maintained.

Setting and auditing of academic standards for purposes of registration through a process of accreditation of engineering programmes at universities and technikons. Setting and auditing of professional development standards Prescribing requirements for Continuing Professional Development. Prescribing a Code of Conduct and Codes of Practice, and enforcing such conduct through an Investigating Committee and a Disciplinary Tribunal. Identification of work of an engineering nature Recognition of professional associations, such as engineering associations, institutes, institutions and societies. Publication of a guideline tariff of fees Doing such other things as may be necessary for the proper performance of its functions in terms of the Act. ECSA: Statutory functions In terms of Section 18(1), as quoted below, the Act empowers ECSA to register persons in certain prescribed Categories of Registration. The Categories are: Professionals, Candidates and Specified Categories. "18. (1) The categories in which a person may register in the engineering profession are- (a) Professional, which is divided into- (i) Professional Engineer; ( ii) Professional Engineering Technologist; (iii) Professional Certificated Engineer; or (iv) Professional Engineering Technician; or (b) Candidate which is divided into- (i) Candidate Engineering Technologist; (ii) Candidate Certificated Engineer; or (iii) Candidate Engineering Technician; or (c) Specified Categories, prescribed by the council. (2) A person may not practise in any of the categories contemplated in subsection (1), unless he or she is registered in that category. ECSA: Registration

E-02-PE: Structure

Curriculum development: Engineering, University of Pretoria

E-02-PE: Knowledge areas: Mechanical Engineering, University of Pretoria

Curriculum development: Engineering, University of Pretoria

E-02-PE: Exit level outcomes

E-02-PE: Outcomes

E-03-PE: Accreditation

E-01-P: Documentation

Southern African Cooperation African system well established and functioning well Systems in neighbouring countries too small to be sustainable – ECSA a South African statutory body – not international – ECSA assists where asked to do so Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zimbabwe