Mutual Recognition Agreements
Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) recognize the substantial equivalence of accreditation systems and agree that graduates of accredited programs are prepared for entry-level practice in their professions.
In June 2011, ABET representatives attended the International Engineering Alliance Meeting 2011 (IEAM2011), the business meeting of the Washington, Sydney, and Seoul Accords.
- 1995-96 ABET President Winfred Phillips concluded his second (and final) term as Chair of the Washington Accord.
- ABET Past President David Holger was elected as Deputy Chair for the Sydney Accord and as Deputy Chair of the International Engineering Alliance.
- Former CAC Member-at-Large Joseph Turner was re-elected for a second term as Chair of the Seoul Accord.
Memoranda of Understanding
ABET has signed 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with higher education agencies or organizations outside of the U.S. to guide the sharing of best practices in accreditation. ABET may assist in developing an accreditation system in another country or region where appropriate.
In 2011, ABET supported its MOUs by conducting workshops and seminars, assisting other organizations with their evaluation visits, and welcoming representatives from other organizations to observe ABET review visits.
Other Global Activities
In addition, ABET volunteers and staff:
- Conducted reviews of 91 programs at 26 institutions in 16 countries outside of the United States.
- Conducted a three-day version of the Institute for the Development of Excellence in Assessment Leadership (IDEAL) in Singapore, at the request of the Institution of Engineers Singapore.
- Conducted a workshop at the pre-conference of the Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering and Technology (LACCEI) Annual Conference in Medellin, Colombia.
- Participated in a seminar on Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture, and Math (STEAM) education in China and gave a presentation at the graduation ceremony for the 1+2+1 program, which the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the Chinese Center for International Educational Exchange (CCIEE) jointly organized.
- Presented one of the keynote speeches, on "Improving the Quality of Engineering Education Through Accreditation Activities," during the Inaugural Convention 2011 of the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP) in Singapore.
- Participated in the International Conference on Accreditation, which focused on best practices in accreditation, in Chennai, India.