Four bachelor degree programmes offered by the University of Macau’s (UM) Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), namely Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Electromechanical Engineering, received accreditation from the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). Students starting these four programmes in the 2011/2012 academic year are recognised under this accreditation, and upon graduation they will be qualified to become members of HKIE in order to receive professional qualifications recognised worldwide. This is the first time that Macao’s degree programmes have received accreditation from HKIE.

Today, UM held a HKIE accreditation ceremony for the four programmes. UM Rector Wei Zhao; Prof Philip Chen, dean of UM’s FST; Ir Prof K K Choy, president of HKIE; Ir Jolly Wong, head of the Communications Branch and chief police telecommunications engineer of the Hong Kong Police Force (chairman of the visiting team); Ir Dr Alex Chan, managing director of the Applied Technology Integration Ltd. (co-chairman of the visiting team) and other guests attended the ceremony.

Rector Wei Zhao noted in his speech that this is the first time that HKIE has conducted the accreditation exercise outside of Hong Kong, and receiving the accreditation from HKIE represents recognition of the academic programmes of FST. Rector Wei Zhao added that it also represents a big step forward for the university towards the goal of becoming a world-class university. Rector Wei Zhao mentioned that UM will continue to enhance collaboration with international organisations, so as to nurture more outstanding graduates for Macao, China, and the world.

HKIE President Ir Prof K K Choy said UM is a high-quality institution in the region with a solid academic foundation. Its graduates will be qualified to become members of HKIE in order to receive professional qualifications recognised worldwide. Ir Jolly Wong and Ir Dr Alex Chan indicated that it is a breakthrough in the international agreement for HKIE to conduct the accreditation exercise for UM. In accordance with the provisions of the Washington Accord, the mutually recognised policy applies to accreditation exercise conducted within the jurisdictions of the members, but normally does not apply to accreditation exercise conducted overseas. However, this accreditation exercise for UM is different. Aiming at obtaining the recognition from all members in the Washington Accord, HKIE obtained the authorisation from the Council, and applied the special codes of the Washington Accord in this special accreditation exercise. With the same goal to gain acceptance from all Accord members, HKIE followed the accreditation standards and procedures throughout the process, so as to meet the requirements of all signatories of the Washington Accord. If it succeeds, these four programmes will be the first batch of programmes to be accredited by the international signatories under the special codes.

FST Dean Prof Philip Chen said HKIE considers the development of programmes as a vital element, and pays particular attention to whether the programmes evolve with technology and the changing needs of the profession and society. As such, HKIE not only reviewed the mathematics and basic science courses, but also reviewed the engineering topics that included engineering sciences, engineering design and synthesis, health, safety and the environment, laboratory and field work, and projects. Meanwhile, they looked over some complementary studies, such as practical training, communications, and professional engineering.

The HKIE accreditation exercise was conducted on several levels—the university level (support for the accreditation exercise and further development), the faculty level (overall operation), the department level (management in development for faculty members, education for students and programmes) and the programme level (programme contents, preparation for career development and further studies for students). In order to better understand these four perspectives, the HKIE accreditation visiting team met with UM rector, vice rectors, all faculty members of FST, FST advisory board members, departmental advisors, and representatives of alumni and students. HKIE is one of the signatories of the Washington Accord. The engineering degree programmes accredited by HKIE are recognised by the other Washington Accord signatories, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, etc. Moreover, HKIE is one of the signatories of the Seoul Accord. For the computer science programmes accredited by HKIE, they are recognised by the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.


Should you have any inquiries about the press release, please feel free to contact Ms. Veronica Tang at（853）8397 4323 or prs.media@um.edu.mo or visit UM webpage www.umac.mo.