IHEQN Conference October 2006 IHEQN “AND NEVER THE TWAIN SHALL MEET”? CASE STUDY OF COLLABORATION 1. Engineers Ireland and University College Cork Denis McGrath Registrar Engineers Ireland IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Criteria 1983 Input-based –Entry Standards –Curriculum Content –Laboratory Facilities –External Examiners’ Reports IHEQN Conference October 2006

Development of Outcomes-based Accreditation Criteria Context ABET move towards Programme Outcomes National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland – 10 Levels Reorganisation of university programmes – heavy emphasis on learning outcomes Standards for awards in institutes of technology IHEQN Conference October 2006

Background Research Accreditation Criteria of other organisations Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (USA) (ABET) Engineering Council (UK) (ECUK) Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) Engineers Australia (IEAust) Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE) Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) The Engineering Professors’ Council (UK) (EPC) Quality Assurance Agency (UK) (QAA) IHEQN Conference October 2006

Development of Accreditation Criteria Accreditation Board Working Group 2 Years Preparation / Consultation IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Criteria 2003 Ethos Guidelines on inputs such as entry standard, curriculum content, staffing, laboratories. Prescribed Programme Outcomes. IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Criteria 2003 Programme Outcomes a)The ability to derive and apply solutions from a knowledge of sciences, engineering sciences, technology and mathematics; b)The ability to identify, formulate, analyse and solve engineering problems; IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Criteria 2003 Programme Outcomes c)The ability to design a system, component or process to meet specified needs, to design and conduct experiments and to analyse and interpret data; d)An understanding of the need for high ethical standards in the practice of engineering, including the responsibilities of the engineering profession towards people and the environment; IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Criteria 2003 Programme Outcomes e)The ability to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multi-disciplinary settings together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning; f)The ability to communicate effectively with the engineering community and with society at large. IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Criteria 2003 Programme Areas Sciences and Mathematics Discipline-specific Technology Information and Communications Technology Design and Development Engineering Practice Social and Business Context IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Criteria 2003 Programme Area Descriptors Describe how the learning outcomes of modules in Programme Areas contribute to Programme Outcomes. IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Criteria 2003 Sum of Learning Outcomes Programme Outcomes IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Criteria 2003 Process of Implementation ABET Assessor Training Course, Washington DC Briefings for academic staff in colleges Training of Assessors IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Visit to College Visiting Panel Accreditation Panel Chairman Registrar – Engineers Ireland Programme Panel for each degree programme -Panel Chairman -Two Assessors, one is Rapporteur Note: One member of Programme Panel from industry if possible IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Visit to College Pre-visit Activities Final year projects evaluated for achievement of Programme Outcomes – (one assessor) Laboratory facilities evaluated – (other assessor) Initial views on documentation sent to university. IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Visit to College Agenda – Day One am - Accreditation Panel assembles at university 2.Plenary Meeting between Accreditation Panel and senior Academic Staff to include 15 minute presentation by university, on programmes for accreditation am - Private Plenary Meeting of Accreditation Panel to brief Programme Panels 4.12 noon - Parallel meetings of Programme Panels and academic staff in separate rooms, commencing with 15 minute presentation on each programme 1.00pm - Buffet Lunch – Accreditation Panel & Staff IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Visit to College Agenda – Day One (cont’d) pm - Parallel sessions in separate “evidence” rooms, of Programme Panels, to include: Meeting to discuss panel views on documentation and pre-visit data Evaluation of “evidence” of achievement of Programme Outcomes –Examination questions and answer books (scripts) for all years of each programme in previous year –Laboratory Reports / Note Books –Project Work –Final Year Projects –Other relevant material (if applicable) Meeting to discuss mid-point findings to date IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Visit to College Agenda – Day One (cont’d) pm - Private Plenary Meeting of Accreditation Panel to discuss mid- point findings of each Programme Panel pm - Conclusion of Day One 7.30pm - Dinner with Accreditation Panel and Academic Staff IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Visit to College Agenda – Day Two am - Private Plenary Meeting of Accreditation Panel am - Plenary meeting between Accreditation Panel and selected Academic Staff to discuss matters generally common to each programme 10.45am - Coffee am - Parallel meetings of Programme Panels with Academic Staff to discuss separately (separate rooms) achievement of Programme Outcomes for each Programme 1.00pm - Buffet Lunch – Accreditation Panel and Staff IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Visit to College Agenda – Day Two (cont’d) pm - Parallel separate discussions on how Programme Outcomes are being reached on each Programme Panel between each panel and a)Final Year Students on each Programme b)Previous Graduates of each Programme c)Employers who have employed numbers of recent graduates from each Programme pm - Private Parallel Meetings of Programme Panels to discuss findings in respect of each Programme IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Visit to College Agenda – Day Two (cont’d) pm - Plenary Meeting of Accreditation Panel to finalise a consistent set of findings in respect of each programme Deficits (if any) identified –Conditions –Recommendations –Features and Strengths IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Visit to College Agenda – Day Two (cont’d) pm - Concluding Meeting – Accreditation Panel Chairman / Programme Panel Chairman explains findings in respect of each programme, to senior academic staff pm - End of Visit IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Panel Evaluation and Report Findings and Recommendations on Accreditation disclosed 5 years, 3 years, < 3 years Clarification given Conclusion of Visit IHEQN Conference October 2006

Accreditation Panel Evaluation and Report Recommendation to Accreditation Board Executive Committee of Council Final decision / final report to college Presentation of Parchment IHEQN Conference October 2006

Washington Accord Signatories AustraliaNew Zealand CanadaSingapore Hong KongSouth Africa IrelandUK JapanUSA IHEQN Conference October 2006

Washington Accord Benefits Mutual acceptance of accreditation decisions Substantial equivalence of degree programmes IHEQN Conference October 2006

Washington Accord Benefits Biennial General Assembly Biennial Workshops Establishment of Permanent Secretariat IHEQN Conference October 2006

IHEQN “AND NEVER THE TWAIN SHALL MEET”? CASE STUDY OF COLLABORATION 1. Engineers Ireland and University College Cork Denis McGrath Registrar Engineers Ireland IHEQN Conference October 2006