The IQAP programme review process was conducted in concert with the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board’s. The Programme Self-Study report, finalized in September 2018, consisted of the CEAB-mandated self-study components plus an IQAP supplement which addressed elements of the IQAP process not covered by the CEAB’s requirements. In combination this included the CEAB graduate attributes and IQAP degree-level expectations for these programmes, an analytical assessment of the programmes, course outlines, programme-related data, survey data from the Office of Quality Assurance and appendices with sample examinations and CVs of faculty members. The CEAB Programme Visitor, selected by CEAB and approved by the Dean of Engineering (Dr David Kuhn, PEng) acted in the role of external reviewer. He was aided in this by the other members of the CEAB visit team who looked at issues of interest across all of RMC’s undergraduate Engineering programmes and whose observations formed part of the CEAB visit report on the programme. The internal reviewer (Dr Abdelkerim Ousman) was selected by the Dean from a list of possible reviewers. The internal reviewer and CEAB team reviewed the self-study documentation and conducted a site visit to RMC on 4–6 November 2018. In the remainder of this document, the CEAB visit team and the internal reviewer are collectively referred to as the External Review Committee (ERC).
The CEAB report and ERC identified a number of strengths of the Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering program including excellent student support from professors, teaching assistants and technical staff, well maintained lab facilities, excellent machining and welding experience and beneficial experience of military faculty. The CEAB report and ERC also identified several areas of concern that influence the status and quality of the program including non-uniform course documentation, new course assignments for term hires and Military Faculty which could impact quality of course content and delivery, and insufficient Library space and resources.
The External Review Committee, consisting of the CEAB visit team and the internal reviewer, provided a thorough and fair review of the Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering program. Activities are underway to address the ERC report’s recommendations. CEAB-specific recommendations are also being addressed in the context of ongoing CEAB accreditation activities.