Introduction

The Engineering Technology Accreditation Council (ETAC) is a delegated body by the Board of Engineers Malaysia. ETAC started as a Protem Council in 2011 in order to provide a smooth transition in the accreditation of Engineering Technology and Engineering Technician education programmes. The Protem ETAC initially focused on the Sydney Accord based education programmes, and obtained the approval of its inaugural Engineering Technology Accreditation Manual by the BEM in 2015. With the 2015 amendment to the Registration of Engineers Act 1967, the BEM established a 21-person ETAC, comprising the seven groupings (BEM, learned bodies, industry/employer, Public Services Department (PSD), Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA), Ministry, and public representatives) in 2015 as the only recognized accrediting body for engineering technology bachelor degree, engineering diploma and engineering technology diploma programmes offered in Malaysia.

The ETAC has been strengthened with respect to its administrative arm within the set up of the Engineering Technology Accreditation Department. The Department presently operates at the Kelana Jaya office. The set up includes a director, and four (4) associate directors. The Department is also supported by its committees that oversee the development of the Manual, the outcome-based culture change at institutions of higher learning, quality assurance and international affairs.

The ETAC was instrumental in ensuring Malaysia’s accredited engineering technology bachelors' degree, engineering diploma and engineering technology diploma programmes are substantially equivalent to the engineering degrees of the signatories of the Sydney Accord (SA) and Dublin Accord (DA). This will ensure that through its accreditation process, the qualities of graduates of accredited programmes meet global standards. Accredited programmes are placed in the ETAC and MQA registers. BEM-ETAC is in the process of joining the Sydney and Dublin Accords. It is hoped that by July 2017 BEM-ETAC will be accepted as a Provisional Signatory for both Accords. In becoming signatory to these Accords BEM-ETAC will be able to ensure Malaysian engineering technology and technician graduates meet an international standard. It will accord for mutual recognition of engineering technology degrees and diplomas and their graduates across the member countries. The same education standards for engineering technology and technician for all member countries is maintained through the guidelines provided by the International Engineering Alliance (IEA – www.ieagreements.org) custodian of the SA and DA. ETAC is determined to uphold the high standard of accreditation process, on behalf of BEM, to become the main catalyst for change in Malaysia and the region.

All application and enquiries pertaining to accreditation shall be addressed to:

Engineering Technology Accreditation Department
Board of Engineers Malaysia
Tingkat 9, Kelana Park View Tower
No 1, Jalan SS 6/2
Kelana Jaya
47301 Petaling Jaya
Tel : 03-78049851 / 03-78049776
Fax : 03 - 78049131
E-mail: etac.bem@gmail.com