1. ENGINEERING ACCORDS
GROUP 20 MEMBERS
1.MPE/039/19- CLINTON ONSONGO
2. CSE/016/19- ROBERT MUTUNGI
3.CSE/042/19- GODFREY MURANGIRI
4.CSE/1005/19 – IAN KIBET
2. Introduction
ENGINEERING ACCORDS
Engineering accords are international agreements or frameworks established to facilitate the mutual recognition of
engineering qualifications and promote the mobility of engineers and engineering technologists across borders. These
accords typically focus on ensuring that engineering education programs meet specific quality standards and criteria set
forth by the participating countries or accreditation bodies. Some of the prominent engineering accords include:
1. Washington Accord: Focuses on the mutual recognition of undergraduate engineering degrees among signatory
countries, ensuring that accredited engineering programs meet certain academic standards.
2. Sydney Accord: Recognizes the equivalence of engineering technology programs at the undergraduate level,
aiming to facilitate the mobility and professional recognition of engineering technologists and technicians.
3. Dublin Accord: Similar to the Sydney Accord but specifically focuses on the mutual recognition of qualifications
in the field of engineering technician education.
These engineering accords play a crucial role in promoting international cooperation, standardization, and quality
assurance in engineering education, ultimately benefiting engineering professionals, industries, and societies globally.
3. SYDNEY ACCORD
The Sydney Accord is an international agreement among engineering accrediting bodies that aims to recognize the
substantial equivalence of engineering technology programs at the undergraduate level. It facilitates the mobility and
professional recognition of engineering technologists and technicians across different countries.The Sydney
Accord was established in 2001 and focuses on the accreditation of engineering technologist education programs
The Accord establishes criteria and guidelines for the accreditation of engineering technology programs, ensuring
that graduates have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to practice as engineering technologists or technicians.
It helps promote international cooperation and standardization in engineering education.
The Sydney Accord is one of several such accords, including the Washington Accord and the Dublin Accord, which
collectively work to establish mutual recognition frameworks for engineering education and promote global mobility
for engineering professionals.
An engineering technologist under the Sydney Accord is someone who has completed a 3-year advanced diploma
or a 4-year bachelor’s degree program in engineering technology.
They are typically involved in the practical application and implementation of engineering solutions and work
under the supervision of professional engineers. They may also be involved in project management, quality control,
and testing of engineering designs
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Example of typical job role*:
Engineering technologist
Project engineer
Production engineer
Quality Control manager
Testing manager
The purpose of Sydney accord includes;
1. Facilitate international recognition: The Sydney Accord aims to facilitate mutual recognition of engineering
technology programs among signatory countries.
2. Ensure quality standards: It establishes criteria and guidelines for accrediting engineering technology
programs to ensure they meet high-quality standards.
3. Promote mobility: By recognizing the equivalence of accredited programs, the Accord promotes the mobility
of engineering technologists and technicians across borders.
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4. Enhance professional opportunities: Graduates of accredited
programs benefit from increased opportunities for international
employment and professional recognition.
5. Foster cooperation: The Accord encourages cooperation among
accrediting bodies and educational institutions to maintain and improve
engineering education standards globally.
6. Support industry needs: By producing graduates with standardized
skills and knowledge, the Accord helps meet the evolving needs of the
engineering industry on a global scale.
6. DUBLIN ACCORD
The Dublin Accord was established in 2002 and focuses on the accreditation of engineering
technician education programs. An engineering technician under the Dublin Accord is someone
who has completed a 2-year diploma or associate degree program in engineering technology.
They have a shorter educational program and may be involved in more practical aspects of
engineering work, such as testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting. However, they may not
have as much responsibility or authority as a technologist or a professional engineer.
Example of typical job role*:
Engineering technician
CAD technician
Quality Control technician
Maintenance technician
Testing technician
7. THE PURPOSES OF DUBLIN ACCORD
1.Mutual Recognition: Facilitate mutual recognition of qualifications in the field of engineering
technician education among signatory countries.
2.Focus on Technician Education: Specifically address the accreditation and recognition of
engineering technician programs.
3.International Cooperation: Foster collaboration among accreditation bodies to establish and
maintain standards for engineering technician education.
4.Mobility and Recognition:Promote the mobility of engineering technicians across borders
by recognizing accredited programs and qualifications.
5.Quality Assurance: Ensure that accredited engineering technician programs meet specified
quality standards to prepare graduates for professional practice.
6.Global Harmonization: Contribute to the harmonization of engineering education standards
internationally, benefiting both engineering technicians and the industries they serve.
8. THE WASHINGTON ACCORD
The Washington Accord is a significant international agreement among engineering accreditation bodies that
aims to facilitate the mobility and recognition of engineering graduates across borders.
Established in 1989, it represents a commitment among its signatory countries to mutually recognize the
substantial equivalence of engineering education programs accredited by the signatory bodies
A professional engineer under the Washington Accord is someone who has completed a 4-year bachelor’s
degree or a master’s degree in engineering from an accredited program. They are involved in the design,
development, and implementation of engineering solutions and are responsible for ensuring the safety, quality,
and sustainability of engineering projects. Professional engineers also have the authority to sign off on
engineering designs and take full responsibility for their work.
Example of typical job roles:
Professional engineer
Design engineer
Research engineer
Project manager
Consulting engineer
9. The key points on Washington accord
1. Mutual Recognition
The Washington Accord ensures that engineering education programs accredited by the signatory bodies are recognized
as meeting the academic requirements for entry into the practice of engineering in other signatory countries. This
mutual recognition facilitates the mobility of engineering graduates and professionals across international boundaries.
2. Quality Assurance
The Accord upholds high standards of quality in engineering education by requiring accredited programs to meet
specific criteria related to curriculum, faculty qualifications, facilities, student outcomes, and continuous improvement.
This ensures that graduates possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to practice engineering
effectively and ethically.
3. Global Impact
The Washington Accord has a significant global impact, with signatory countries representing diverse regions and
economies around the world. As of my last update in January 2022, there were 23 full signatories to the Accord,
including major industrialized nations as well as emerging economies. Additionally, there are provisional members and
observer organizations working towards full signatory status.
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4. Continuous Improvement
Signatory bodies are committed to ongoing collaboration and continuous improvement within the framework
of the Washington Accord. This includes sharing best practices, exchanging information on accreditation
processes, and participating in periodic reviews to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the Accord.
5. Benefits for Stakeholders
The Washington Accord benefits various stakeholders in the engineering profession. For engineering students
and graduates, it enhances the international recognition of their qualifications and expands opportunities for
employment and further education abroad. Employers benefit from a pool of globally mobile engineering
talent with standardized levels of competency and expertise. Additionally, the Accord promotes collaboration
and knowledge exchange among engineering accreditation bodies, fostering innovation and excellence in
engineering education worldwide.
Overall, the Washington Accord plays a crucial role in promoting consistency, quality, and mobility in
engineering education and practice on a global scale. It reflects a commitment to shared standards and
principles among signatory countries, ultimately contributing to the advancement of the engineering
profession and the betterment of society.