ENAEE Newsletter – March 2025, Edition 5

A message from the President

ENAEE continues to strengthen its global impact, fostering collaboration and raising the standards of engineering education worldwide. From Ecuador to Mauritius and Costa Rica, our engagement with accreditation agencies and universities reflects a shared commitment to ensuring the highest quality in engineering programs. The EUR-ACE® label remains a key driver of international mobility and recognition, supporting institutions in their journey toward excellence.

One of the most exciting opportunities ahead is the EUR-ACE® Connect Forum, taking place on 29-30 May in Lisbon. This event will bring together leaders of EUR-ACE® accredited programs and universities to exchange ideas, explore partnerships, and expand global collaboration.

We invite all stakeholders in engineering education to join us in Lisbon and be part of this important dialogue that shapes the future of accreditation and international cooperation.

Together, we continue to advance engineering education for a stronger, more connected world.

See you at the EUR-ACE® Connect!

José Carlos Quadrado

Upcoming ENAEE meetings

The next ENAEE General Assembly will be held online on Friday 9 May.

The EUR-ACE® Label Committee will meet on Friday 2 May online and on Friday 6 June in London.

EUR-ACE® Connect Forum for Global Collaboration

Leaders of EUR-ACE® accredited engineering programs worldwide are invited to an exclusive forum dedicated to fostering collaboration among accredited institutions. Organised by ENAEE, this event brings together institutions and programs that have achieved EUR-ACE® label accreditation to explore partnerships across various domains.

The forum will highlight the impact and value of EUR-ACE® accreditation while offering participants valuable opportunities to connect with peers and engage in discussions that drive future collaborations.

To reinforce diversity and participation, ENAEE will support the early bird registration fees for two university representatives from accredited programs selected by each EUR-ACE® accrediting agency. This initiative
will ensure broader representation at the event, encouraging engagement from a wide range of institutions while promoting the benefits of EUR-ACE® accreditation.

The Forum will take place on 29-30 May in Lisbon.

Agripreneurship in Türkiye

ZİDEK became an Associated Partner of “Sustainable Rural Regions through Women Social Agripreneurship and Social Farming (SOFAR)” Erasmus+ project which started in December 2023, led by Gazi University.

Regions at risk of neglect require revitalisation through the diversification of agricultural initiatives and the enhancement of opportunities for young women. Consequently, the primary aim of the SOFAR project is to cultivate the abilities and expertise of a core group of social agripreneurship catalysts, rooted in academia and non-governmental organisations. This initiative strives to promote the concept, assimilate it within university curricula and NGO adult learning resources, thereby fostering educational and employment prospects for women and marginalised learners in rural settings.

A significant milestone for the project was the recent training in Portugal, which took place on 18-22 November 2024. This event, hosted by the Portuguese partner SEMEAR, brought together project partners for a collaborative learning experience that included workshops, site visits, and key presentations. ZİDEK Executive Board Chair Prof. Dr. Gökhan Söylemezoğlu introduced ZİDEK’s mission and its vital role in advancing agricultural education.

The Türkiye Team Leaders, including Prof. Dr. Söylemezoğlu have been instrumental in shaping the direction of the SOFAR project. Additionally, Prof. Dr. H. Güçlü Yavuzcan, as the Project Coordinator, is also serving as the Treasurer Member of the ZİDEK Executive Board. Their expertise ensures that the project’s objectives align with the needs of the agricultural sector in Türkiye.

ENAEE President visits IEM in Mauritius

In February, the President of the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE) visited the Institution of Engineers Mauritius (IEM) as part of ongoing efforts to enhance global engineering accreditation standards. The visit reinforced IEM’s commitment to joining ENAEE, aligning with its long-standing role in upholding professional engineering standards in Mauritius and its status as a Washington Accord member.

During the visit, the ENAEE President also met with government representatives at the Ministry to discuss potential areas of support for the development of engineering education in the country. The discussions focused on strengthening accreditation frameworks and ensuring that engineering programs continue to meet internationally-recognised best practices.

IEM has historically played a crucial role in professional engineering regulation in Mauritius, working alongside the Council of Registered Professional Engineers (CRPE) and national institutions. By committing to becoming an ENAEE member, IEM aims to further enhance its accreditation processes and contribute to global quality assurance in engineering education.

ENAEE President visits CFIA/AAPIA in Costa Rica

The ENAEE President recently visited the Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos (CFIA) and its Agencia de Acreditación de Programas de Ingeniería y de Arquitectura (AAPIA) in Costa Rica, a WA full member. The visit underscored ENAEE’s commitment to fostering international collaboration in accreditation, aligning with CFIA/AAPIA’s mission to provide high-quality accreditation services for engineering programs. During the visit, the ENAEE President also accompanied SINAES, Costa Rica’s national accreditation agency, in its evaluation of AAPIA.

As a key outcome of this visit, CFIA has committed to applying for ENAEE membership, further reinforcing its dedication to internationally recognised best practices in accreditation, decision aligned with the ENAEE President’s current action plan.

CFIA/AAPIA follow an accreditation model based on the Washington Accord, ensuring that engineering programs meet rigorous quality standards. By taking this next step toward ENAEE membership, CFIA/AAPIA strengthens its role in advancing higher education quality and continuous improvement in the region.

ENAEE and CES Ecuador boost international accreditation efforts

The European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE), in collaboration with Ecuador’s Consejo de Educación Superior (CES), successfully hosted an informative session on international accreditation for engineering programs.

Led by Dr. José Carlos Quadrado, President of ENAEE, the session provided Ecuadorian universities with key insights into the EUR-ACE® accreditation process, its benefits, and the current status of accredited institutions in the country. Participants engaged in discussions on how this global recognition enhances academic quality, international mobility, and institutional prestige.

With ENAEE’s extensive network spanning 60 countries, this initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening Ecuador’s presence in globally recognised engineering education.

SEFI Conference – Engineering and society

The SEFI 2025 Annual Conference will be held on 15-18 September and the call for papers is currently open until 1 April. Three submission types are welcome:

• Research papers, on engineering education (both quantitative and qualitative)
• Practice papers, on teaching innovations in engineering education
• Workshops, which will demonstrate or explore an educational practice.

The conference will be held in Tampere, Finland.

Newsletter contributions

Members are invited to submit their contributions for the Newsletter (upcoming editions: June, September and December) using the provided template. Contact secretary.general@enaee.eu