COLLEGES of ENGINEERING SCIENCES & APPLIED ENGINEERING PROGRAMS ASSESSMENT

Background: The Colleges of Engineering Sciences and Applied Engineering were established in 1387 H (1966 AD). There are 6 departments in each college. These are: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering and Aerospace Engineering. Each department offers two programs one in Engineering Science and the other in Applied Engineering.

Background: The colleges have 130?? Professorial rank faculty members.??? The undergraduate students current ( ) enrollment is 268 (ME), ? (AME), ? (EE), (AEE), ? (CE), ? (ACE), (ChE), ? (AChE), ? (PetE), ?(AerE) ?. Both programs went through complete revision and continuous development.

Assessment is a systematic process of gathering, reviewing and using quantitative and qualitative data from multiple diverse sources for the purpose of improving student learning PROGRAMS ASSESSMENT

Why Assessment? It indicates the strengths and weaknesses of the program and hence provides input for continuous development and improvement. It provides a tool for verifying that existing programs meet their objectives and learning outcomes. It provides a tool for internal and external benchmarking with similar programs. It is required by national, regional and international accreditation bodies.

PROGRAMS ACCREDITATION Accreditation is a formal recognition for the program being accredited by an international authoritative body.

Why Accreditation ? Programs Quality Assurance by independent body. Recognition of awarded degrees by national & international bodies. Increases graduates employment opportunities.

Colleges of Engineering Experience KFUPM for its Quest for Excellence opted for independent Assessment for its programs since its establishment. In the early years KFUPM was associated with a Consortium( international body from USA universities) for its programs assessment. In the early nineties,the Colleges of Engineering sought international accreditation by American Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET).

Colleges of Engineering Experience All engineering programs were completely revised twice since 1988 and are subjected for continuous revision. Currently the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Programs are going for Self- Assessment. Both Engineering Programs (ES & AE) are ABET Accredited (1993 and 2000).

The Role of the Industry The new emphasis in assessment is shifted from being prescriptive based to outcome- based. Learning outcomes statement describes what students are expected to know, can and be able to do by the time of graduation. This new emphasis can not be achieved without the industry’s effective input and active interaction. To enhance interaction with the industry, the college formed industrial advisory committees at the level of each department.

The Role of the Industry To enhance interaction with the industry, the college formed industrial advisory committees at the level of each department. Other venues of interaction and for soliciting input from the industry include: 1.Employers’ Surveys 2.College Graduates 3.Cooperative program 4.Capstone design projects mentors

Conclusions The colleges of engineering will maintain a world class engineering education through self and external assessment. The feedback from the industry in maintaining a world class engineering education is very vital. The Colleges of Engineering will continuously solicit the feedback from the industry through different venues. The Colleges of Engineering will strive hard to enhance interaction with the industry.