Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning recently made post-secondary education history in Ontario and Canada. Conestoga’s Mechanical Systems Engineering degree program (MSE) has been accredited by Engineers Canada following a thorough review by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB). Conestoga is the first college in Ontario and only second Institute of Technology in Canada to have its engineering degree program accredited.
This full accreditation confirms the acceptance of the MSE degree within the professional community of employers and partners. This accreditation, which began with significant industry consultation, is one more step in the development to ensure that our graduates will have the required knowledge and skills.
“We are very pleased at this validation by the CEAB and Engineers Canada, of the leadership role being taken by Conestoga in Project Based Engineering Education in Ontario”, said Dr. John Tibbits, President of Conestoga.
"This accreditation is the confirmation of the high quality program standards set by Conestoga and is the result of a significant effort by many faculty members, college staff, industry partners and employers" said Mike McClements, Executive Dean, Conestoga’s School of Engineering & Information Technology. "“Whether you’re a prospective student or the parent of a prospective student, the accreditation, along with our unique Project Based Delivery Model and high co-op and graduation placement rates, will continue to make this program very attractive for young people considering a career in engineering."
The accreditation is also very positive news for the local community as it allows greater access to quality engineering programs for area students.
“As a graduate of the MSE program this accreditation is an important step in my professional development” said Sean Phillips who will be attending the University of Waterloo this fall in their Masters in Mechanical Engineering (M.A.Sc.) program. “I actually started in the three-year diploma program at Conestoga, Mechanical Engineering –Design and Analysis, worked for five years and then came back to Conestoga and was able to bridge into the third year of the MSE degree. Having that pathway available was very valuable to me.”
The Mechanical Systems Engineering program is a 4-year, co-op bachelor’s degree. Engineers Canada is a national organization that accredits undergraduate engineering programs across Canada through the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB). Accreditation facilitates the most direct pathway to Professional Engineering Practice (P.Eng.). Graduates of the program have the academic qualifications necessary for registration as Engineers-In-Training (EIT), part of the process, to full licensure as practicing Professional Engineers (P.Eng.).
“Professional Engineers Ontario is the licensing and regulating body for Ontario's 73,000 engineers” said PEO President Diane Freeman. “Students graduating from an accredited engineering program in Canada are eligible for licensure upon completion of four years of Canadian experience. PEO believes that having all professional engineers accountable to the public through licences and Certificates of Authorization ensures that public safety is protected.”
Conestoga and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), both members of Polytechnics Canada, are the first non-universities to receive engineering accreditation from the CEAB.
For more information contact Mike McClements 519.748.5220 ext. 3251 or Paul Osborne, Executive Director Corporate Communications 519.748.5220 ext. 3419 or posborne@conestogac.on.ca .