Accreditation of Engineering Education in Turkey Prof. Dr. Bülent E. Platin Mechanical Engineering Department Middle East Technical University Ankara, Turkey 12th National Quality Conference 14 October 2003, Istanbul

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 2 ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.) “Substantial Equivalency” MÜDEK (Engineering Evaluation Board) “Accreditation” Institutions Conducting Accreditation Activities in Turkey

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 3 Middle East Technical University 1994Chemical, Mining 1996Civil, Electrical-Electronics, Mechanical, Metallurgical 2002Aeronautical, Computer, Environmental, Food, Geological, Industrial, Petroleum and Natural Gas [EC 2000] 2004Chemical, Civil, Electrical-Electronics, Mechanical, Metallurgical and Materials, Mining (all 2nd time) [EC 2000] Bilkent University 1995Industrial 1997Electrical-Electronics 2002Industrial (2nd time) Bogaziçi University 1999Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical-Electronics, Industrial, Mechanical 2003Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical-Electronics, Industrial, Mechanical (all 2nd time) [EC 2000] Istanbul Technical University 2003Aeronautical, Astronautical, Chemical, Food, Geophysical, Industrial, Mining, Mechanical, Metallurgical and Materials, Naval Architecture, Ocean, Textile [EC 2000] 2004Civil, Computer, Electrical, Electronics and Communication, Environmental, Geodesy, Geological, Petroleum and Natural Gas [EC 2000] ABET Activities in Turkey

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 4 Evaluated by ABET Turkey and TRNC Total (2001) Universities467 Engineering Schools 1184 Program Types2044 Total Programs41250 ABET Activities and Engineering Programs in Turkey

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 5 January 2001: Engineering Deans Council (EDC) established and working groups formed May 2001 – March 2002: Working Group on the Evaluation of Engineering Education studies January 2002: National Accreditation System of Engineering Education accepted by EDS May 2002: MÜDEK established by EDS MÜDEK Engineering Evaluation Board

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 6 VISION To promote and improve engineering education for the purpose of advancing public welfare through the development of better-educated and qualified engineers MISSION Organize and carry out a comprehensive evaluation program of undergraduate engineering programs leading to engineering degrees conducted by schools, which are members of EDC MÜDEK Engineering Evaluation Board

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 7 MÜDEK BASIC CHARACTERISTICS Autonomous management Evaluation based on objective criteria Openness, transparency   confidentiality of info. Final authority in evaluation decisions Board and evaluation teams free of university administrators Board member renewal by a system with memory

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 8 Committee on Training EDS Evaluation Team MÜDEK MÜDEK’s Structure

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 9 MÜDEK Members Total eight members o 4 faculty members from universities o 1 representative from Turkish Chamber of Architects and Engineers (TMMOB) o 1 representative from Turkish Quality Association (KalDer) o 2 representatives from industry Deans as members of EDS could not serve as MÜDEK members or MÜDEK evaluators 2 year long term (maximum 3 consecutive terms) 3 members among them are o Chair o Vice-Chair (Chair of next term) o Immediate past chair

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 10 MÜDEK Evaluation Teams A separate TEAM for each engineering school, whose programs will be evaluated TEAM CHAIR (MÜDEK member) At least one PROGRAM EVALUATOR for each program to be evaluated

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 11 Basic Characteristics of MÜDEK Evaluations EVALUATION not RANKING Evaluation of PROGRAMS not UNIVERSITIES, SCHOOLS, or DEPARTMENTS KNOWN (unclassified) evaluation CRITERIA and PROCESS based on DOCUMENTATION TRAINED evaluation TEAMS Team evaluation process  DRAFT REPORT Final evaluation decision by MÜDEK  FINAL REPORT

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 12 MÜDEK Evaluation Criteria Program educational objectives Program outcomes Curriculum Students Faculty members Facilities Institutional support and financial resources Criteria special to various programs

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 13 Program Educational Objectives Statements that describe the expected accomplishments of graduates during the first several years following graduation from the program. Must be consistent with the missions of the institution, school, and department. An ongoing system of assessment must be in place to measure the achievement, evaluation and modification of these objectives, with results reflected to the continuous improvement of the program. In their periodic (3-6 years) assessment, external constituencies like program graduates, employers, etc. must be involved.

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 14 Program Outcomes Statements that describe what students are expected to know or be able to do by the time of graduation from the program. They must be necessary to reach program educational objectives. An ongoing system of assessment must be in place to measure the achievement, evaluation and modification of these outcomes, with results reflected to the continuous improvement of the program. In their periodic (annual, every semester) assessment, internal constituencies like students, faculty staff, etc. must be involved.

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 15 MÜDEK Evaluation Process [Calendar for Evaluation Period] Application to MÜDEK (Deans) [01 March 2003] Preparation of Self-Evaluation reports (SER) and their submission to MÜDEK (Schools and Departments) [01 August 2003] Review of SER’s, requesting additional information from institutions (Evaluation Teams) [September-October 2003] 3-day visits to institutions (Evaluation Teams) [November- December 2003] Draft Reports (Evaluation Teams) [January-February 2004] Finalizing the evaluation decision (MÜDEK) [March-June 2004]

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 16 Phases of Evaluation Process I.Pre-visit activities II.Visit to institution III.Post-visit activities I Sept.-Oct. II Nov.-Dec. III 60 days Last day visit

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 17 Review Findings Strong points Weak points o Deficiency: A statement indicating that a criterion is not satisfied. Therefore, the program is not in compliance with the criteria. o Weakness: A statement indicating that a criterion is satisfied but lacks the strength of compliance that assures that the quality of the program will not be compromised prior to the next general review. Therefore, remedial action is required to strengthen compliance with the criteria. o Concern: A statement indicating that a criterion is currently satisfied; however, the potential exists for this situation to change in the near future such that the criterion may not be satisfied. Therefore, positive action is required to ensure continued full compliance with the criteria. o Observation: A comment or suggestion which does not relate directly to the criteria being used for evaluation. It is offered to assist the institution in its continuing efforts to improve its programs.

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 18 Basic Evaluation Actions No deficiency or weakness  Accreditation (extension for 6 years till next general review) No deficiency but some weaknesses  Accreditation (conditional extension for 2 years with interim report or interim visit) Deficiency  Show Cause (Review and visit will be repeated next year) Deficiency after “Show Cause”  Not to accredit

12. National Quality Conference - 14 October 2003, Istanbul Platin 19 MÜDEK THANK YOU