March 2, 2010
Baltimore, MD – SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, is the latest body to become a member of ABET, the accreditation organization dedicated to assuring quality in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology education. This development is a vital step in SPIE’s commitment to making certain that optics and photonics programs meet the educational standards set by the profession and that constituents have a standard by which to assess each program’s quality.
SPIE was established as the Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Known simply as SPIE today, this organization aims to advance an interdisciplinary approach to the science and application of light. More specifically, its stated purpose is to advance emerging technologies through information exchanges, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth opportunities for individuals working in the optics, photonics, optoelectronics, and imaging fields. Currently, SPIE has 17,000 members specializing in 10 different technical interest areas, 147 student chapters, and approximately 435 corporate members.
"SPIE has already demonstrated its dedication to educating the next generation of optics and photonics professionals through its support of scholarships, grants, and other educational programs around the world," ABET President David K. Holger said. "Becoming an ABET Member Society will further this commitment and provide SPIE with a proven means to ensure the quality of as many as 300 degree-granting programs in optics and photonics worldwide."
Effective immediately, SPIE is a full-fledged ABET Member Society. ABET Member Societies hold seats on the ABET accreditation commissions and have at least one voting representative on the ABET Board of Directors. In addition, member societies take lead responsibilities in program accreditation for their disciplines. SPIE will serve as the lead society for criteria related to optics and photonics for the Applied Science Accreditation Commission, and SPIE will be a co-lead society with IEEE, Inc., for criteria related to these fields for both the Engineering Accreditation Commission and the Technology Accreditation Commission. Furthermore, SPIE will be responsible for recruiting and selecting qualified program evaluators to review optics and photonics programs.
"We look forward to working with the SPIE representative on our Board of Directors and to involving the society’s volunteers in ABET’s many accreditation activities as soon as possible," Holger continued.
The ABET Board approved the SPIE’s admission as a member society during its last meeting, in October 2009. Two-thirds of the organization’s member societies had to ratify SPIE’s admission for the new society to be admitted officially into ABET. ABET headquarters received notification about the last of the necessary votes on Friday, February 19.
About ABET
ABET, the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology, is a federation of 31 professional and technical societies representing these fields. Among the most respected accreditation organizations in the U.S., ABET has provided leadership and quality assurance in higher education for more than 75 years.
ABET currently accredits over 3,100 programs at more than 600 colleges and universities worldwide. More than 2,000 dedicated volunteers participate annually in ABET activities. ABET also provides leadership internationally through workshops, memoranda of understanding, and mutual recognition agreements, such as the Washington Accord. ABET is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.