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Quality Assurance of Engineering Undergraduate Education: The Canadian Experience

Quality Assurance of Engineering Undergraduate Education: The Canadian Experience. Bachelors of Engineering and Technology in Modern Industry, Science and Business, June 17 – 18, 2004, Moscow, Russia J. O’Brien, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. D. Wolfe, P.Eng. . Engineering in Canada.

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Quality Assurance of Engineering Undergraduate Education: The Canadian Experience

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  1. Quality Assurance of Engineering Undergraduate Education:The Canadian Experience Bachelors of Engineering and Technology in Modern Industry, Science and Business, June 17 – 18, 2004, Moscow, Russia J. O’Brien, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. D. Wolfe, P.Eng.

  2. Engineering in Canada • A self-regulated profession • Constitution Act of 1867 • Philosophy: Members of the profession are “best qualified to determine the appropriate standard of professional competence and ethics required for the protection of the public”.

  3. Associations/Ordre: Overview • 12 regulatory entities • Established via provincial/ territorial legislation • >160,000 P.Eng. • 18,000 trained outside Canada

  4. Associations/Ordre: Membership *including EITs, limited licenses, retired P.Eng.

  5. Associations/Ordre: Responsibilities • Right to title (exclusive scope of practice) • Set standards for licensure • Ensure compliance • Take enforcement action

  6. Requirements for Licensure • Undergraduate degree • Engineering experience • Ethics and law • Good character • Communication skills

  7. Canadian Council of Professional Engineers • Federation of provincial/territorial associations that license engineers • Represents profession nationally and internationally • Prepares national criteria and guidelines • Accredits university engineering educational programs

  8. The Canadian Educational System • Education is a provincial/territorial responsibility • 13 provinces/territories = 13 education systems • 3 educational stages: • Elementary (primary) • Secondary • Post-secondary • Elementary + Secondary = 12 years

  9. Elementary and Secondary Schooling • Publicly-funded • Starts at 6 years of age • Attendance compulsory to age 15 or 16 years

  10. Post-secondary Education • Governed by provinces/territories • Universities and colleges • Funding from: • Provinces/territories • Federal Government • Tuition • External sources

  11. Engineering Education • 3 degree levels: • Bachelor’s • Master’s • Doctoral • Entrance requirements consistent across Canada: • Complete secondary education (12 years) • Common suite of secondary school courses (math, physics, language) • Minimum 4 years of study

  12. Engineering Education (cont’d.) • 36 post-secondary institutions • 71 fields of study • 236 accredited programs • 50,000 students • 8,700 graduates per year

  13. Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board • Goals: • Quality assurance • Continuous improvement • Develops criteria, processes, procedures • Advises Associations/Ordre

  14. Accreditation: Purpose • Competence in engineering plus understanding of impact of engineering on society • Emphasis on: • quality of students • academic and support systems and staff • educational facilities • To identify those engineering programs that meet accreditation criteria

  15. Accreditation: Assumptions • Undergraduate programs only • Program, not departments, faculties, or schools • 16 years of education • Criteria: • Input-based • Outcomes-based • Constant evolution

  16. Accreditation: International Activities • Mobility for engineers and quality assurance of international qualifications • External Initiatives: • Mutual Recognition Agreements • Washington Accord • Substantial Equivalency Visits • Internal Initiatives: • Facilitate licensure for internationally-trained engineers

  17. International Engineering Graduates • Engineering in Canada • 96% employment rate • Salaries 50% higher than national average • Range of disciplines and employers • FC21: From Consideration to Integration • Determine barriers • Enhance processes • Public safety not to be compromised • Academic and professional standards are maintained

  18. FC21: From Consideration to Integration • 3 phases • Data collection • Analysis and identification of enhancements • Implementation of process improvements • Preliminary Findings • Understanding licensure requirements across Canada • Assessment of academic qualifications • Timeframe for licensure • Possible Conclusions: • Quality assurance provided by International agreements and “substantial equivalency” • Communication is key

  19. Future Considerations • Increasing importance of international activities • Assurance that high standards are maintained • Facilitating licensure of internationally trained engineers in Canada • Referrals to other professions • Facilitating mobility for Canadian-trained engineers

  20. Questions? FOR MORE INFORMATION... Tel: 613-232-2474 Fax: 613-230-5759 e-mail: ceab@ccpe.ca Web: www.ccpe.ca

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