EAC accreditation visit

Group photo among UTAR, EAC, EAD and WA

An accreditation visit was carried out by the evaluation panel of the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) Malaysia from 2 March 2023 to 3 March 2023 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. The visitation involved representatives from the Washington Accord (WA) as observers. UTAR was selected to represent the private higher educational institutions (IPTS) in Malaysia for the WA observation on the accreditation process by the EAC.

The aim of the accreditation visit was to verify whether the Engineering programmes under evaluation were following the appropriate accreditation criteria. This is done to ensure that the graduates are adequately prepared to enter the engineering profession. The assessment involved three Engineering degree programmes from Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES), namely Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Honours (3E), Bachelor of Telecommunications Engineering with Honours (TE) and Bachelor of Materials Engineering with Honours (MT).

Headed by Ir Prof Dr Satesh Narayana Namasivayam, the EAC delegates consisted of panel members Ir Dr Liew Chia Pao, Ir Prof Dr Ahmad Farid bin Abidin @ Bharun, Ir Dr Muhamad Arkam bin Che Munaaim, Ir Prof Dr Wong Hin Yong, Ir Prof Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Ir Choo Beng Lye, Ir Dr Moey Lip Kean, Ir Mohd Rasid Osman and Ir Dr Norshah Hafeez bin Shuaib. The Engineering Accreditation Department (EAD) representatives were Director Zairul Amri Zakaria, BEM Registrar Ir Dr Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin, WA Taskforce Chair Ir Megat Johari Megat Mohd Noor, WA Taskforce Member Ir Prof Dr Norlida Buniyamin, BEM Secretary Ir Hamzah Hashim, Norharniza Mohd Noor, Nor Athira Mohd Jamil and Mohd Nizam Abd Malik. Meanwhile, the WA reviewers were Prof Ann Kenimer from the United States, Ir Chik Wai Keung Stephen from Hong Kong, and Dr Luis Barrera Arrestegui from Peru.

Welcoming the EAC delegates were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, Academic Quality Assurance and Audit Dean Ir Prof Dr Rajkumar Durairaj, LKC FES Dean Assoc Prof Ts Dr Yap Wun She, LKC FES 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 Ir Dr Ling Lloyd, heads of departments, heads of programmes and staff.

Throughout the visit, the EAC delegates had several meetings with UTAR management, academic and technical staff, students, and external stakeholders such as the UTAR alumni and industry advisors. The visit also involved checking relevant documents and the campus to ensure that the University has provided adequate facilities and support for professional development and student learning.

Ongoing meeting

A meeting between EAC members, UTAR students and staff

Lab tour

About EAC

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

About WA

The Washington Accord (WA) is an International Agreement Between Bodies Responsible for Accrediting Engineering Degree Programmes. WA is a multi-lateral agreement between bodies responsible for accreditation or recognition of tertiary-level engineering qualifications within their jurisdictions who have chosen to work collectively to assist the mobility of professional engineers. The Accord acknowledges that accreditation of engineering academic programmes is a key foundation for the practice of engineering at the professional level in each country or territory covered by the Accord. The Accord outlines the mutual recognition between the participating bodies of accredited engineering degree programmes. It also establishes and benchmarks the standard for professional engineering education across those bodies.