DIGITAL LIBRARY
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF ENGINEERING EDUCATION
King Abdulaziz University (SAUDI ARABIA)
About this paper:
Appears in: INTED2015 Proceedings
Publication year: 2015
Page: 3134 (abstract only)
ISBN: 978-84-606-5763-7
ISSN: 2340-1079
Conference name: 9th International Technology, Education and Development Conference
Dates: 2-4 March, 2015
Location: Madrid, Spain
Abstract:
Engineering education is one of the most important pillars of the overall development, through its contribution to the preparation of engineering, academic and professional cadres of various institutions of society, in addition to its role in the use and development of knowledge through scientific research, preparation of specialists in different fields and the development of community service. One of the most important development tools used for engineering education is the application of quality system which became a feature of this era. Accordingly the determination of the basic quality of engineering education is of great importance in the practical application in various departments of the engineering colleges. This process involves the application of a set of criteria which aims to implement continuous improvement in the educational engineering product.

The present study aims to shed light on the key requirements to ensure the quality of engineering education. The study describes the actual practices of engineering colleges, which can be applied to obtain a high quality in the three main areas of research college education, scientific research and service environment. Also engineering faculties help to evaluate the merits of improving their performance to ensure the quality and preparation for obtaining academic accreditation.

The research also aims to answer the following questions:
- Whether the tools of improving quality of engineering education are applied or not?
- What are the benefits that will result from the use of tools to improve the quality of engineering education?
- What are the requirements for continuous improvement of engineering education?
- How will the improvement tools will be applied to ensure sustainable development of the quality of engineering education?
- What are the obstacles that may limit the success of improving the quality of engineering education?

The most important factors behind the great interest in the quality of engineering education is the great expansion in the engineering education, both at the college level or at the level of beneficiaries. This is true of all the developed countries and many developing countries.
Descriptive analytical method by reference to the quality system applied in the Colleges of Engineering was followed in conducting the present research.
Keywords:
Quality of engineering education, Performance development, Continuous improvement, Effectiveness of the educational process.