A quality system for engineering education

Engineering Physics at Umea University commenced in 1988 as the first engineering education at the University. Later, four more engineering programmes commenced in Engineering Biology, Engineering Chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering and Energy Engineering, and in 1997 the Umea Institute of Technology was formed. In addition, several 3-year engineering programmes are given in Umea and, in total, the engineering programmes are becoming a significant part of the education provided by the University. The qualify aspect of our education has been stressed since Engineering Physics started, and the purpose of this paper is to present the quality system that we use. We believe that the quality system plays a key role in the continuous development of a successful educational programme. We have found the system that we use to work well, and despite being a relatively new education in a traditional science environment, we are producing good students capable of competing on a national level. The final year projects produced by our students have been honoured with several prizes, and in 1995 Johan Oja received the prestigious Lilla Polhemspriset. Nevertheless, our quality system can be improved, and the paper serves to promote discussion on quality systems that can do this. The issues that are addressed are: quantitative measures and goals for education, organisation and planning, study results and statistics, internal and external information, the introduction of new students, evaluation of individual courses and groups of courses, on-going educational projects and activities establishing contacts.