Workshop Explores ABET Accreditation for Engineering, IT

The Birzeit University Engineering and Information Technology faculties organized a workshop discussing the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) on August 20, 2013.
ABET is a non-governmental organization that accredits post-secondary education programs in "applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology."
Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, Jamil Abdo, presented his institution’s ABET experience.
He shared how the Faculty of Engineering at Qaboos University obtained ABET accreditation by achieving clarity of the desired objectives of the educational program, which was measured after three to four years of graduating classes.
Birzeit University Faculty of Engineering Dean Afif Hassan outlined the steps underway by Birzeit to achieve accreditation.
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Wael Hashlamoun talked about ABET’s advantages in terms of quality of education and the ability to graduate students who meet changing needs in the engineering and technology sectors. This was followed by questions and a discussion of ABET’s benefits, financial cost, and impact on the learning process.