| 09 July 2007 New Zealand engineering education demonstrably world-class The New Zealand Bachelor of Engineering degree is again demonstrably benchmarked to the world best practice standard through reaccreditation of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) in the Washington Accord. “This reaccreditation for a further six years from 2007 recognises that the New Zealand degree is substantially equivalent to those of the other eleven members of the Washington Accord”, said IPENZ Chief Executive Dr Andrew Cleland. “This means that as our graduates move between New Zealand and the other 11 jurisdictions their engineering degrees will be recognised as on par with their native peers”. Reaccreditation involves a review by representatives of three other economies, who reported to a recent general meeting of the Accord held in Washington DC, that IPENZ was fully meeting the requirements in the way it operates its engineering degree accreditation system, and sets the standards for engineering degrees. The benefits of this international benchmarking agreement are expected to increase in the future as countries like Germany and Russia progress towards entry, joining the existing members including the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Japan and Korea says Dr Cleland. IPENZ celebrated a hat-trick of other engineering successes in Washington DC. Firstly, it passed a review of its competence assessment process under the Engineers Mobility Forum agreement. The other 12 members of that agreement recognise New Zealand competence assessments as meeting the international benchmark standard. Competence assessment is a necessary step for professional engineers as they progress towards registration as a Chartered Professional Engineer. This is for a six year term.. Secondly, IPENZ was granted a four year contract to host the international secretariat which underpins a total of six international agreements including the two mentioned above. Dr Cleland says that this appointment confirms the credibility of what IPENZ does in the eyes of an informed international audience. IPENZ is also a member of the Sydney Accord (which established international benchmarking for three year BEngTech degrees), the APEC Engineer agreement (which parallels the Engineers Mobility Forum agreement, but is restricted to APEC economies), the Engineering Technologist Mobility Forum (which will create an international benchmark standard for engineering technologists) and is progressing towards membership of the Dublin Accord (which recognises diplomas in engineering). For more information contact the: |
||||
 |
|
|
