Ensuring the best practices of engineering programmes through EAC accreditation

Prof Yow (front row, middle) with the EAC delegates and UTAR lecturers

In order to benchmark engineering education programmes to international best practices, an accreditation visit by Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) Malaysia evaluation panel was conducted from 10 March 2020 to 11 March 2020 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus for four programmes under Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Sciences (LKC FES).

The programmes were Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electronic and Communications Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electronics (Computer Networking).

The accreditation evaluation gives the Board of Engineers Malaysia and stakeholders the assurance that engineering graduates have the requisite skills and competences reflected in the graduate outcomes specified by EAC. Accreditation also guarantees the standard of students and programmes offered at higher learning institutions in Malaysia to prospective employers and the general public.

The EAC delegates were led by Universiti Tenaga Nasional Department of Mechanical Engineering Head Ir Dr Hasril Hasini and the panel members were Multimedia University (MMU) Faculty of Engineering and Technology Senior Lecturer Ir Dr Wong Wai Kit, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) School of Computer & Communication Engineering Ir Prof Dr Anuar bin Mat Safar, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering Ir Prof Dr Mariatti binti Jaafar @ Mustapha, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Department of Electrical, Electronic & Systems Engineering Ir Assoc Prof Dr Rosdiadee bin Nordin, UNIMAP Centre for Graduate Studies Dean Ir Assoc Prof Dr MohdKhairuddin B Md Arshad and Heriot-Watt University School of Engineering & Physical Sciences Ir Dr Bhuvendhraa Rudrusamy.

Welcoming the EAC delegates were UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Yow Ho Kwang. Representing UTAR during the evaluation were LKC FES Dean Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Assoc Prof Ir Dr Gobi Vetharatnam, Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Assoc Prof Ts Dr Lee Kim Yee, Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Assoc Prof Ts Dr Yap Wun She, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Head Assoc Prof Ir Dr Chang Yoong Choon, Department of Laboratory Management and Safety Administration Head Ts King Yeong Jin, Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering Head Ts Dr Yeo Wei Hong, Head of Programme for MEng(Electronic Systems) & MEng (Electrical) Dr Shee Yu Gang, Centre for Curriculum Development and Innovation Head Ts Dr Chen Kah Pin, Assoc Prof Ir Dr Lim Boon Han, Dr Khaw Mei Kum, Academic Quality Assurance Ir Prof Dr Rajkumar Durairaj, lecturers and staff.

Throughout the visit, EAC delegates had several meetings with UTAR management, academic and technical staff, students, and external stakeholders such as UTAR alumni and industry advisors. The visit also included reviewing relevant documentation and a campus tour which aimed to ensure that sufficient facilities and support for professional development and student learning is offered by the university.

The Engineering Accreditation Council is a delegated body by the Board of Engineers Malaysia as the only recognised accrediting body for engineering degree programmes offered in Malaysia. Membership of the EAC comprises five stakeholders, namely the Board of Engineers (BEM), the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Industry Employers, Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) and the Public Service Department (JPA).

Prof Goi presenting the overview of LKC FES

The ongoing meeting between EAC delegates and UTAR lecturers