The Faculty of Engineering within the University of Malta is proud to announce that its Mechanical Engineering undergraduate programme has been reaccredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) – the largest mechanical engineering professional institution in the world and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) on behalf of the Engineering Council (UK).
In addition, the EUR-ACE® certificate – the European quality label for engineering degrees - was awarded by European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education reflecting the programme accredited by the Engineering Council. The accreditation was awarded following a detailed review of the degree programme, its constituent study units, external examiners, staff qualifications and feedback from stakeholder ranging from local industry to student representatives and alumni. Importantly IMechE verified the actions taken upon recommendations submitted to Faculty during past iterations, and internal quality assurance procedures which demonstrated the Faculty’s commitment towards continuous improvement. Furthermore, this accreditation underscores the Faculty’s rigorous academic standard and the quality of its Mechanical programme.
The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Ing. Andrew Sammut supported this important evaluation and welcomed its subsequent award citing external independent evaluation as further evidence to the excellent standard of education available to students opting for the engineering profession. He particularly highlighted some of the commendable aspects cited by the accreditation panel including the significant major investment in infrastructure, technology and equipment in all its laboratories, strong links with industry, the Faculty’s Engineering Internship Scheme, and the high employability of graduates. Prof. Sammut added that the Faculty was now at an advanced stage of obtaining similar accreditation by EC through Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for the Electrical Engineering undergraduate programme.
Prof. Ing. Glenn Cassar, Deputy Dean of the Faculty, who led the Mechanical Engineering reaccreditation effort, celebrated this accomplishment stressing how this international recognition once again reflected the high level of preparation of University of Malta engineering graduates as they enter the workforce, opening doors to our alumni to work in industry from manufacturing to service industry, from production to research and development or pursue further education at higher levels.
Prof. Cassar highlighted the practical implications of earning a degree from an accredited programme in opportunities including recognition, employment, fellowships, and obtaining advanced credentials, including professional registration such as the Chartered Engineer (CEng) awarded by the Engineering Council and the EUR ING professional title awarded by Engineers Europe. He further thanked his colleagues across Faculty for supporting this accreditation exercise both through direct involvement in the auditing process and by working toward continued improvement and the implementation of new practices.
Finally, Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, commended the achievement, highlighting that this pegs the courses on offer to similar high-ranking courses overseas, whilst reinforcing the University’s internal quality assurance procedures. This accreditation exercise re-affirms UM’s commitment to provide the best possible programmes of study for its students and to equip them with the right competencies that are so crucial in a fast-evolving industry.
In the last three years a total of 283 graduates have successfully completed their studies with the Faculty of Engineering including 15 at Doctoral level.
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