Title: World class quality in engineering education via ABET accreditation: an implementation study in an Indian engineering educational institution

Authors: D. Thandapani, K. Gopalakrishnan, S.R. Devadasan, P.R. Shalij

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, C.Abdul Hakeem College of Engineering and Technology, Melvisharam, Vellore 632509, Tamilnadu, India. ' Foundation for Educational Excellence, Deccan Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS), Bangaluru 560071, Karnataka, India. ' Production Engineering Department, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore 641004, Tamilnadu, India. ' Production Engineering Department, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore 641004, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract: During recent years, there has been a realisation that a modern Engineering Educational Institution (EEI) accrediting its programmes with Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) will be able to sell its product, namely, engineers throughout the world. Yet, only a few countries other than the USA in the world have so far accredited the programmes offered by EEIs with ABET accreditation board. In this context, this article has reported the efforts made to carry out an implementation study on accrediting an Indian EEI with ABET. The sample supplemental materials developed under the nine criteria of ABET stipulations are presented and briefly described. The hurdles faced by the EEIs situated in developing countries for accrediting their programmes are appraised. The experiences of conducting this implementation study indicated that ABET-based accreditation process can be successfully implemented in the EEIs situated in the countries other than the USA as well.

Keywords: engineering education; Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology; ABET accreditation; world class quality; ISO 9000 certification; quality management systems; QMS; India; quality standards.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICBM.2010.030754

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 2010 Vol.3 No.2, pp.208 - 237

Published online: 03 Jan 2010 *

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