Mechatronics Engineering with the prestigious ABET accreditation

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Mechatronics Engineering with both bachelor and master degrees conducted in English by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics was awarded the American ABET accreditation. AGH University of Science and Technology is the first university in Poland, and among the few in Europe, to receive the accreditation. The awarded masters degree program conducted in English is the only Mechatronics Engineering with this prestigious certificate in the world.

The faculty began the procedure of applying for ABET accreditation two years ago. The university presented the Awards Committee with numerous reports on the functioning of Mechatronics Engineering faculty, study rules, the curriculum and the graduates' chosen career paths. The ABET representatives inspected AGH UST last year. During their stay, they participated in classes, talked to students and faculty staff. They also assessed faculty records, including master theses and educational projects. The report they presented was yet another step towards obtaining the accreditation.

Eventually, after two years’ endeavors, the Awards Committee decided to accredit  the Mechatronics Engineering Faculty conducted in English at undergraduate studies (for a period of two years) and graduate studies (for a period of six years). The graduate program obtained accreditation for the longest possible period. As substantiation for their decision, the Committee pointed to the high ranking the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics has in the Perspektywy journal, the numerous student organizations taking part in international science competitions (e.g. AGH Space Systems team), and the practical aspect of the faculty combined with English language.

– We are very proud to receive the accreditation. Many applications are turned down by the Awards Committee during the verification process. We succeeded, even though some things had to be changed and adjusted to meet the ABET standards. This achievement has been possible due to the hard work of all faculty and the scientists involved in the process of accreditation - especially the ABET coordinator, Eng. D. Krzysztof Mendrok. We hope that the faculty will benefit from the accreditation which, within the next few years, will encourage foreign students to study at our University. However, those who will benefit most are our graduates, whose academic certificates will be recognized by American employers – says Professor Antoni Kalukiewcz, the Dean of Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, the originator and initiator of the enterprise.

ABET is the most important and most widely recognized accreditation for technical universities in the USA. So far, 3709 faculties at 752 universities in 30 countries have been accredited, among them MIT and Stanford. There are over 2200 experts assessing the faculties, coming from the industry sector, academia and the government. Every year, thousands of universities from all over the world apply for the award. ABET accreditation will make studying at the AGH University of Science and Technology attractive  also for foreign students planning to work in the USA, where the accreditation holds high professional value with employers. More details on the accreditation can be found on the website.

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