ABET recently participated in the 2024 International Engineering Alliance (IEA) Meetings from June 9–14 and the Seoul Accord Mid-Term Meetings from June 15–16 in New Delhi, India.
Representing ABET were Past President Dr. S. K. Ramesh and Director, International Engagement and Governance Daniela Iacona, both of whom played vital roles in discussing and shaping the future of global engineering and computing education. Hosted by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) in India’s historic Capital City, New Delhi, Ramesh remarked, “As a first timer, it was a truly memorable experience thanks to the incredible warmth.”
The IEA aims to enhance engineering education and competence worldwide. This mission is carried out through its educational accords, which establish standards, best practices and mutual recognition of accredited engineering and engineering technology programs. The IEA’s history dates back to 1989 with the establishment of the Washington Accord, which focuses on the mutual recognition of programs that lay the educational foundations for engineers. This was followed by the Sydney Accord in 2001 for engineering technologists and the Dublin Accord in 2002 for engineering technicians.
ABET aligns with IEA’s commitment to international quality education standards and mutual recognition. As a full signatory to the Washington, Sydney and Dublin Accords, ABET actively supports global mobility for engineering and engineering technology professionals by ensuring that accredited programs meet international benchmarks.
At the 2024 IEA Meetings in New Delhi, Ramesh and Iacona each presented at multiple workshop sessions, contributing significantly to the dialogue on engineering education. Ramesh spoke about ABET’s work in “Integrating a Sustainability Focus into STEM Education Worldwide,” reflecting the organization’s dedication to addressing contemporary challenges in engineering education.
Iacona represented ABET at the following Seoul Accord Mid-Term Meetings. The Seoul Accord focuses on computing and IT-related programs, reinforcing ABET’s role in promoting excellence in these fields. Iacona engaged in discussions that highlighted the importance of quality assurance and mutual recognition in computing education.
ABET’s participation in these meetings underscores its commitment to fostering international collaboration and maintaining high educational standards. These gatherings provided ABET with opportunities to exchange ideas with international peers, review new applications and approve new signatories to various accords. The rigorous review processes and governance within the IEA and Seoul Accord exemplify the long-standing trust among its members, a trust built over years of collaboration and dedication to excellence.