Background
Thailand Accreditation Board for Engineering Education (TABEE) is a standard for certifying the quality of engineering education programs that emphasizes educational outcomes (outcome-based education) with criteria for evaluating courses which teach and aim to produce graduates with desirable attributes according to the needs of employers in the industrial sector. TABEE evaluation process is based on the IEA Graduate Attributes and Professional Competency (GAPC) criteria under the Washington Accord which is a curriculum evaluation standard accepted by many countries as a comparison of the educational qualifications of engineering professionals as well as criteria that are closely compatible with the teaching and learning context in Thailand.
Why should engineering programs get TABEE accreditation?
- TABEE is a qualitative evaluation of curriculum management, focusing on goals and success (attainment) of curriculum management on educational outcomes.
- Program accreditation is a mechanism for promoting educational institutions’ quality of engineering education programs aiming to produce graduate engineers with desirable qualification according to the needs of society and industries.
- Graduates from the accredited programs are assured to meet industry and professional requirements. The curriculum will provide education that is related to industry’s need by mean of teaching and learning in the program curriculum.
- In engineering service mobilization and practice, engineers are required to have completed an engineering degree from an educational institution that has accredited educational quality standards according to principles accepted among cooperating countries.
What is TABEE?
- TABEE stands for Thailand Accreditation Board for Engineering Education.
- The Council of Engineers has established TABEE in 2015 to provide an alternative for educational institutions to voluntarily apply for program accreditation with the Council of Engineers.
- The criteria used based on international guidelines, the Washington Accord agreement and the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) of the United States as frameworks for determining procedures and methods for accreditation.
- TABEE has set the goal to obtain its Washington Accord (WA) signatory member status by 2025. Achieving the full member status, TABEE will be considered a National Accreditation Body in Thailand with world class international standards.
- The accreditation process will promote educational institutions by means of raising the standards of the curriculum to produce graduates with knowledge and capabilities to meet the needs of the rapidly changing industries and technologies.
- TABEE assessment system focuses on sufficiency and suitability of the program management according to criteria rather than counting the activities. TABEE emphasizes on the attainment goals of the program graduate outcomes.
- The educational institutions’ assessment will base topics specified in their self-assessment report.
- Currently, the regulated engineering disciplines courses or equivalent programs which are recognized by TABEE will acceptably be recognized by Council of Engineers in accordance its program recognition regulations.
Requirements to Apply for TABEE Accreditation
- Being a full-time undergraduate engineering program or equivalent with a study period of 4 academic years and a total credit not less than 120 credits. The curriculum structure must include:
- Basic mathematics and science knowledge in higher education (including laboratory course) totaling not less than 30 credits.
- Engineering knowledge covering basic and advance engineering knowledge of each discipline sufficient to use in designing and appropriately solving problems according to
engineering requirements, totaling not less than 45 credits. - General education knowledge (In accordance with the requirements of the Office
of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and
Innovation), total 24 credits.
- The course must have engineering internship and engineering projects to solve complex engineering problems or engineering design in the 4th year (Capstone Design Project or Capstone Design Course).
- Being a new or revised curriculum with 2 classes of graduates minimum.
- If any fields or sub-fields of a program wish to obtain the TABEE recognition, such fields or sub-fields must present complete assessments and teaching arrangements that show the results. TABEE will evaluate only the fields or sub-fields that submit complete information according to the evaluation criteria.
- TABEE recognizes both regulated and non-regulated engineering disciplines.
- Maximum recognition period is 6 years. The TABEE recognition applied to those who graduate in the recognized years.
The Subcommittee on Accreditation of Quality Standards in Engineering Education (TABEE) has defined the objectives of the recognition process as follows.
1) To evaluate the outcomes and quality management of engineering educational programs in accordance with the principles of the International Agreement on Engineering Education.
2) To encourage educational institutions to provide proper teaching and education to students with continuous educational quality and knowledge development.
3) To communicate to those interested in studying in engineering disciplines, the public, and society and to ensure that the graduates from TABEE recognized programs have educational outcomes according to the desired qualification of professional engineering practitioners and in line with international agreements on engineering education.
TABEE Committee Members
Dr.Tatchai Sumitra
Advisor
Assoc. Prof. Dr.Sutha Khaodhiar
Chair
Mr. Arthorn Sinsawad
Member
Assoc. Prof. Pichit Lumyong
Member
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Piyabutr Wanichpongpan
Member
Assoc. Prof. Sarithdej
Pathanasethpong
Member
Professor Dr.Somsak Chaiyapinunt
Member
Assoc. Prof.Dr.Jirawat Chewaroungroaj
Member
Document and Procedure
Document preparation
The educational institution prepares the following documents:
- Self-Declaration files, complete with details as per the sample degree accreditation documents, signed by an authorized representative along with the authorization documents.
- Detailed Self-Declaration of the educational institution, Section 6, Appendices 1 – 5.
- Checklist for degree accreditation of the field applied for, with complete details specified by the educational institution before submission to the Council of Engineers.
- Submit the prepared document (Self-Declaration and Checklist) through the COE online system.
Program assessment process for accreditation
Step 1: Review the submitted document
The evaluation team will review the submitted documents. If the documents are complete and meet the specified criteria, the evaluation team will accept the application and schedule a visit to the educational institution. The educational institution will be asked to process a payment to cover the travel expenses for the accreditation visit.
If the submitted documents are incomplete or do not meet the specified criteria, the evaluation team may inquire additional documents or they may reject the accreditation application.
Step 2: Educational institution visit
The evaluation team meets with the institution and program executives, faculty responsible for the curriculum and the teaching. The evaluation team also evaluate the facilities, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, teaching materials, IT services, and quality assurance systems. For programs that have already been accredited by TABEE of Council of Engineers, the meetings are conducted electronically instead of site visit for evaluation.
Step 3: Evaluation result report
The evaluation team will present the result report to the Subcommittee on Degree Accreditation and the result report is process further for Council of Engineers approval.
TABEE Assessment Procedure
- Application
The educational institution submits a Self-Evaluation Report (SER) along with supporting documents and evidence through COE TABEE Service system via the link: https://service.coe.or.th/instituteAuthen/institutelogin
For more information, please contact 1303 ext. 207 or 086-340-8571 - Assessment Procedure
- The evaluation team, appointed by the Subcommittee on Accreditation of Engineering Education Quality Standards (TABEE), reviews the Self-Evaluation Report (SER) of the educational institution for the curriculum, supporting documents, and other evidence.
- The evaluation committee may request additional documents and evidence if the submitted documents are insufficient.
- The educational institution is responsible for submitting the requested documents and evidence within the specified timeframe.
- The evaluation committee will schedule a visit to the educational institution.
- Consideration of the results of the accreditation of the Education Quality Standards
- The evaluation team, together with COE staffs, coordinate the visit to the educational institution for accreditation assessment, then, hold joint meetings to assess the results of the accreditation assessment of education quality standards and prepare the result report.
- The lead evaluator presents the accreditation results report at the Decision Meeting.
- The Decision Meeting considers the details and explanations of the results of the accreditation assessment process and certifies the results of the accreditation.
- The Accreditation Agency for Engineering Education Quality Standards (TABEE) sends result report of the accreditation of the Education Quality Standards to the educational institution.
- Result appealing process
- The educational institution may submit an appeal letter regarding the results of the accreditation of education quality standards and supporting documents to the Subcommittee on Accreditation of Engineering Education Quality Standards (TABEE) for review within 30 days from the date of receiving the notification of the accreditation results.
- The Accreditation of Engineering Education Quality Standards (TABEE) Subcommittee reviews the appeal regarding the results of the accreditation of education quality standards based on the accreditation report and any additional supporting documents received within 60 days from the date of receiving the appeal request. This review is considered final.
- TABEE accreditation cost
- The application fee for the accreditation of engineering education quality standards is 68,000 Baht per program (sixty-eight thousand Baht).
Note: Payment shall be made when TABEE issues an acceptance letter for the application for accreditation of education quality standards (by July). - The cost for the evaluation of engineering education quality standards is 140,000 Baht per program (one hundred forty thousand Baht).
Note: Payment shall be made when TABEE issues a notification for the visit to the educational institution (by October)
- The application fee for the accreditation of engineering education quality standards is 68,000 Baht per program (sixty-eight thousand Baht).
Suranaree University of Technology
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Industrial Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2023 – Present
Suranaree University of Technology
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Geological Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2023 – Present
Council of Engineers Recognition Degree: Engineering Program in Mining Engineering (Mining)
Suranaree University of Technology
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Polymer Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2021 – Present
Suranaree University of Technology
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Manufacturing Automation and Robotics Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2020 – Present
Council of Engineers Recognition Degree: Engineering Program in Industrial Engineering
Suranaree University of Technology
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Civil Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2017 – Present
King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Mechanical Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2020 – Present
King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Chemical Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2022 – 2023
King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Agri-Intelligence Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2022 – Present
Khon Kaen University
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Industrial Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2017 – Present
Chiang Mai University
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Mechanical Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2020 – Present
Chulalongkorn University
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Electrical Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2022 – Present
Chulalongkorn University
Program: Bachelor of Science Program in Chemical Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2021 – Present
Council of Engineers Recognition Degree: Engineering Program in Chemical
Chulalongkorn University
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Survey Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2021 – Present
Chulalongkorn University
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Environmental Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2019 – Present
Chulalongkorn University
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Mechanical Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2017 – Present
Chulalongkorn University
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Chemical Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2017 – Present
Chulalongkorn University
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Civil Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2018 – Present
Chulalongkorn University
Program: Bachelor of Engineering Program in Civil Engineering
Accreditation Period: Academic year 2018 – Present
Duties and responsibilities of the educational quality standards evaluation team
- Preliminary Document Review
In considering the submitted self-assessment documents of an educational institution, the evaluator team may have questions on certain points and may request additional evidence from the institution. This is particularly the case if the institution’s explanations and submitted evidence do not meet the quality standards or if the documents are not submitted within the time frame. The evaluator team may consider postponing or canceling the institution’s site visit. - Visit to the Educational Institution
The evaluation team and staff of the Council of Engineers coordinate with the educational institution to schedule a visit according to the arranged schedule. During this visit, the evaluation team will carry out the following activities:
2.1 Review the Course Portfolio documents for basic engineering and specialized engineering courses in the curriculum. This includes evaluating the appropriateness of the content, assignments, exercises, semester study reports assigned to students for research, and the assessment of teaching and learning outcomes.
2.2 Meet with educational institution or faculty administrators and curriculum managers to understand the activity schedule, listen to presentations on the overall operations of the institution or faculty, development plans, and curriculum management, and discuss the content of the self-assessment report.
2.3 Evaluate classroom teaching activities, laboratory equipment, safety management in laboratories, libraries, information technology systems, and the study environment according to the engineering education quality assurance standards.
2.4 Interview curriculum managers, teaching faculty, laboratory instructors, and staff individually to assess the curriculum management and teaching outcomes of the faculty to achieve the desired educational results and graduate characteristics for the engineering profession.
2.5 Interview students from all academic years as scheduled by the educational institution, according to the number and criteria set by the evaluation committee, to confirm the educational outcomes and desired graduate qualifications for the engineering profession.
2.6 Interview graduates as scheduled by the educational institution, according to the number and criteria set by the evaluation committee, to confirm the characteristics of graduates in the engineering profession.
2.7 Interview alumni of the program who are working in the engineering profession in the industry and other sectors as scheduled by the educational institution, according to the number and criteria set, to confirm the characteristics of graduates in the engineering profession and the involvement of the industry and professionals in education management. - Carry Out Exit Meeting
At the visit wrap up, the evaluation team meet with the institution’s administrators and curriculum managers to address the following points:การศึกษา และผู้บริหารหลักสูตร เพื่อแจ้งประเด็นต่าง ๆ ดังนี้
Provide a brief explanation of the procedures the evaluation team will take to report the program assessment results.
The evaluation team present the findings from the visit to the educational institution without the need to explain or provide detailed recommendations. - Reporting the results of the program evaluation
The evaluation team is responsible for concluding and reporting the results of the program evaluation according to the following assurance standards.
- The evaluation team meets to summarize the findings from the visit and assessment, then prepares and sends the evaluation report to the institution for consideration and acceptance.
- The evaluation team meets to summarize the evaluation results according to the checklist and prepares the result report of the program evaluation according to the specified report format.
- The lead evaluator (possibly with other evaluators) meets with screening committee to review and revise the recommendations and the program evaluation result report and to consider any possible conflict of interest and appealing against the evaluation result.
- The lead evaluator (possibly with other evaluators) presents the program evaluation result report and recommendations at the Decision Meeting.
Qualification of Evaluator
The evaluator appointed by the Council of Engineers shall have the following qualifications:
- Hold at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering in a field related to the curriculum seeking accreditation.
- Have undergone training and passed the evaluation as an evaluator by the Subcommittee on Accreditation of Engineering Education Quality Standards, Council of Engineers.
- Possess a positive attitude towards engineering education and the accreditation of
engineering education quality standards based on educational outcomes. - Have teaching and research experience in an educational institution that emphasizes outcome-based education or have experience or involvement in professional practice in a field related to the engineering curriculum seeking accreditation or be a member of a professional engineering association related to the engineering field seeking accreditation.
Lead evaluator
The lead evaluator will be appointed by the Council of Engineers to oversee the following duties: coordinate with the Council of Engineers’ staff in organizing meetings of the evaluator team to accomplish the evaluator duties which are as follow.
- Provide guidance to the evaluator team and coordinate with the Council of Engineers’ staff regarding the procedures and methods for assessing the program.
- Hold meetings with the evaluator team to summarize the evaluation results according to the evaluation checklist and prepare the evaluation result report using the specified report format.
- Hold joint meetings with screening committee to review and revise the recommendations and evaluation reports that may have any conflicts of interest and appeal against the evaluation/accreditation results.
- Present the evaluation result report at the Decision Meeting.
The head of the evaluator team should be an individual with professional engineering experience or experience as an administrator of a curriculum that has been accredited for engineering education quality standards or an individual who has served as an evaluator for the Council of Engineers or has been trained by the Council of Engineers to provide guidance on the criteria, procedures, and methods for accrediting engineering education quality standards.