Breadcrumbs

Accreditation another step in the right direction for engineering

25 August 2016

Beca engineering

From left, Ellen Plumtree, Burgert Conradie, Professor Janis Swan, IPENZ CEO Susan Freeman-Evans, Jessica Xiao, Beca Regional Manager Richard Douch and IPENZ Deputy President Craig Price.

The University of Waikato’s engineering qualifications remain ahead of the game with a recommendation by the Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) for re-accreditation for five more years.

The accreditation of the University’s engineering qualifications means they meet internationally-recognised benchmarks described in the Washington Accord, making Waikato’s four-year professional engineering qualifications recognised in 18 countries and regions, including Australia, the UK and the USA.

Accreditation from IPENZ notes a qualification’s ongoing ability to adhere to professional standards in the engineering sector. It takes into account graduate outcomes and employability, industry and employer relevance, the continued longevity of the programme and the consistency of teaching and learning.

Exciting times ahead

Acting Dean of Engineering Professor Janis Swan says it’s an exciting time for engineering at Waikato. “As a discipline, engineering is an important one because we know there’s a critical shortage of skilled engineers, both at a local and global level,” she says.

Earlier this year the University announced the addition of civil and environmental engineering to its five existing programmes – chemical and biological, electronic, mechanical, materials and processing, and software.

Professor Swan says accreditation as a measure of graduate employability is done retroactively, meaning the success of graduates helps inform the success of the University’s current engineering programme.

“Measuring employability begins after two or three cohorts have been out in the industry. Our first cohort consisted of eight graduates who entered the workforce in 2002, and in 2016 that number will be 100.

“From the beginning, our aim was to have programmes that produced excellent, work-ready graduates. This recent accreditation demonstrates that we’ve continued to fulfil those aims.”

A history of success

Alongside its established links with industry, the School of Engineering has a history of successful research partnerships, funding wins and ongoing support from the local engineering community, which recently includes a significant gift to the University from the John and Glenice Gallagher Foundation to fund a Chair of Engineering position.

Another supporter, engineering company Beca, award annual scholarships to engineering students in recognition of their academic excellence and potential as promising engineers. This year’s winners are Ellen Plumtree (Chemical and Biological engineering), Burgert Conradie (Mechanical), and Jessica Xiao (Software) - pictured with representatives from Beca and IPENZ receiving their awards.