Dayne Aldridge, associate dean for cross-disciplinary programs, has been named as chairman of the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for a one-year term.
Aldridge, who holds the position of Thomas Walter Eminent Scholar, is director of the Thomas Walter Center for Technology Management as well.
"Dr. Aldridge has assumed this position at a time when engineering education is undergoing fundamental changes," notes Engineering Dean William F. Walker. "I can think of no other engineering educator more qualified to tackle the challenges that this field is now undergoing."
As chair Aldridge will head ABET's 55-member Engineering Accreditation Commission, which is responsible for setting accreditation criteria on a nationwide basis. He has served ABET over the past year as its vice chairman on policy, and will retain a position on the group's executive committee for two years following his term as chair.
"It would be a real honor to chair this group at any point in its history, but particularly now that ABET is in transition to a dramatically new criteria in engineering education," Aldridge points out.
Known as Engineering Criteria 2000, the new guidelines will require:
"ABET's intention is to totally revamp the criteria under which all engineering programs in the country will be accredited," Aldridge explains. "We are looking at the knowledge and skills that will be required to practice engineering in the next century."
The development of the new criteria is being undertaken as a response to calls from industry for changes in the content of engineering courses and how they are taught at the college level, he adds.
"As a result, we expect that graduates will be better prepared to begin practice on graduation," Aldridge says.
"We also intend to foster a better understanding of the impact of engineering in terms of its global and societal role, and of public protection. Effective communication and a deeper appreciation of ethical responsibilities by students are also a large part of this initiative."
The bottom line will be the continued preparation of graduates who have strong technical backgrounds, Aldridge says, and will be capable of maintaining the nation's competitive posture in an era where global competition is increasingly important to the economy.