Engineering education and accreditation faces several potential challenges ahead — from the latest trends and innovations that can shape the future. Adopting new accreditation standards and addressing these challenges was the focus of the International Symposium on Quality Assurance in Engineering Education through Accreditation: Transforming Engineering Education through Implementing Enhanced Graduate Attributes in Dhaka, Bangladesh. ABET Director of International Engagement and Governance and Deputy Chair of the Sydney Accord, Daniela Iacona, joined distinguished guests from academia, accreditation, industry professionals and policymakers to share experiences and best practices.

Held December 8-9, the two-day event was organized by the Board of Accreditation for Engineering and Technical Education (BAETE) of Bangladesh.

Guests from Bangladesh and around the world, including Daniela Iacona, Deputy Chair of the Sydney Accord and Director of International Engagement & Governance at ABET.

Highlighting the Significance of Accreditation

Daniela Iacona speaks at the podium about international recognition and the role in ensuring quality assurance in education.
Daniela Iacona speaks at the podium.

BAETE’s primary function is accreditation to evaluate engineering degree program quality. The initial session of the event focused on just that — ensuring quality in engineering education and aligning with international standards. “International recognition plays a vital role in ensuring quality education. Bangladesh’s initiatives in this area will bring long-term benefit for future generations,” Iacona says. Iacona’s presentation, “Sustaining Quality: Robust and Enduring Accreditation Systems, explores key characteristics that make an accreditation body both robust and sustainable over time. The session reflects on how structure, culture, and adaptability shape organizational endurance and trust. The symposium featured technical sessions, presentations on research, discussions and local and international experts sharing their experience.

An Event Essential to the Future

The event started on December 8th with a welcoming speech by the Vice Chairman of BAETE, Prof Dr. S. Reza Chowdury, who emphasized the importance of accreditation and the role it plays in following global standards and elevating engineering education in Bangladesh. National and international guests attended the symposium, including Engr Mohammad Reazul Islam, President of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) and Professor Kai Sang Lock, Chair of the Washington Accord.

 

Daniela Iacona, Deputy Chair of the Sydney Accord and Director of International Engagement & Governance at ABET, is joined by Prof Kai Sang Lock, Chair of the Washington Accord