Message from Chairman PEC Engr. Dr. Muhammad Akram Sheikh

ENGINEER PEC September 2007methods. Mutual recognition and accreditation will not only applicant accrediting body has demonstrated that thebenefit graduates in a particular country, but will also accreditation system for which it has responsibilitypromote quality control and attract students to national appears to be conceptually similar to those of the otherdegree programs. It is generally accepted that a signatories of the Washington Accord. By conferringcompetent practicing engineer must have a strong provisional status, the signatories have indicated that theyeducation that teaches analytical and theoretical thinking consider that the provisional signatory has the potentialthat enables problem solving, innovation, and invention. If capability to reach full signatory status. Award ofnot invention then at least instant modifications; training in provisional status in no way implies any guarantee of theworking with people from diverse backgrounds and solving granting of full signatory status. Equivalence of thetechnical problems to maintain the existing engineering engineering programs concerned shall normally becomeinfrastructures on place; and work experience, including effective from the date on which the new signatory wasresponsibility for making decisions on time to deal with admitted to full signatory status. For the admission of newemergencies and long term planning to predict calamities signatories to the Washington Accord requires anand failures. Let us review the existing internationally application for provisional status to the Washington Accordestablished engineering accords, boards and councils for supported by nominations from two of the existinginitial membership or affiliation of PEC.signatories. A positive vote by at least two-thirds of theexisting signatories, a prescribed period of provisional3.1 Washington Accord status (minimum period of two years), during which theaccreditation criteria and processes established by theWashington Accord [18] was signed in 1989 by the groups applicant, and the manner in which those procedures andin Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United criteria are implemented, will be subject to comprehensiveKingdom, and the United States responsible for examination by a Washington Accord review team.accrediting professional engineering degree programs in Unanimous approval of the existing signatories fortheir countries. The accord recognizes “substantial transition of the provisional signatory to the regularequivalency” of the programs accredited by the signatories signatory is prerequisite. The application for Provisionaland satisfaction of the “academic requirements for the Signatory status must be submitted by PEC to thepractice of engineering at the professional level.” The Secretariat of the Washington Accord in both printed andaccord states that the “processes, policies and electronic form at least 120 days prior to the next meetingprocedures” used in the accreditation of academic of signatories, and in the format given in Washingtonprograms are comparable and “recommends that Accord [18]. A decision to admit to Provisional status shallgraduates of accredited programs in any of the signatory require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of existingcountries be recognized by the other member countries as signatories, and a decision to admit to full signatory statushaving met the academic requirements for entry to the shall require the unanimous vote of existing signatories.practice of engineering as per WA. However, the Such votes shall normally be taken at general meetings ofWashington Accord has several limitations. First, it covers signatories. The Accord has also approached to anprofessional engineering undergraduate programs but not international funding agency to explore the possibility ofengineering technology or postgraduate programs. funding support for developmental assistance to countriesSecond, it does not apply to degree programs accredited applying to become members of the Accord.before signing by the accrediting body. Third, it does notapply to degree programs declared or recognized as Accreditation Board of Engineering & Technology (ABET)“substantially equivalent” by the signatories. Finally, it is recognized by the American Council for Highercovers only the academic requirements of licensing, but Education Accreditation. In general, ABET does notnot the actual licensing, which still varies from country to accredit foreign programs outside USA. However, it issuescountry. Interest in the Washington Accord has increased substantial equivalency certificates for similar overseessignificantly since it was signed in 1989. Two more programs if they qualify in educational outcome. ABET hascountries have signed on since then and are now full signed a number of mutual recognition agreements withsignatories: Hong Kong in 1995 and South Africa in 1999. accrediting organizations of other countries. PEC mayFour countries have been added as provisional apply for it like India, and Bangladesh and others.signatories: Japan in 2001 and Germany, Malaysia, and Signatories agree to recommend that graduates fromSingapore in 2003. In addition, the accreditation bodies of recognized programs be afforded the same rights andIndia and Bangladesh have recently expressed their intent privileges as those graduates in the home country. ABETto submit applications for provisional membership, and recognizes through agreements such as the WashingtonRussia has sent representative to the meetings of the Accord, and offers educational credentials evaluationWashington Accord signatories.services. It is to point out that ABET accredits theengineering programs through its EngineeringTo seek membership of the Accord the accrediting Accreditation Commission (EAC) not the institutes. PECorganization needs to apply for provisional signatory may apply for membership of Washington Accord the waystatus. The provisional signatory status means that the as normal universities apply to PEC for accreditation and51