20 January 2011 -- IChemE (the Institution of Chemical Engineers) has accredited the chemical engineering MEng course of the Real Universidade de Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.
The course is the second IChemE accredited course IChemE in Spain, following the 1999 accreditation of the Universidad de Valladolid. The accreditation runs from the academic year 2010-11 until 2012-13.
According to the university’s head of chemical engineering Gumersindo Feijoo, the five-year-long course is designed to produce chemical engineers with good safety skills, ethical values and working culture, who are well-informed about best environmental practice.
The accreditation process gave the university an opportunity for “critical self-analysis”, and allowed the “establishment of strong and weak points, resulting in implementation of actions which may improve the degree in the short and medium term”.
The IChemE accreditation committee highlighted several strengths of the course including yearly improvements to the training process, the commitment to the improvement of the students’ English, with one or two subjects per semester taught in the language, and the assessment centre, which evaluates individual students and ensures they learn ‘soft skills’ such as teamwork and communication.
The chemical engineering department was also praised for its close links with industry and strong research-led teaching. Feijoo says that accreditation will not only lead to improved employment opportunities for students, but also enable the department to set up international links, including joint degrees with other universities and increased opportunities for student exchanges under the Erasmus programme.
IChemE accredits more than 50 courses in 17 countries. Last year, the Institution accredited Tianjin University’s Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree programme, marking the first time IChemE has accredited a degree course in China.
For further media information, interviews or supporting photography, please contact:
Matt Stalker, Communications Manager, IChemE tel: +44 (0)1788 534455 / +44 (0)7802 834459 email: mstalker@icheme.org
About chemical engineers
Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, maths and economics to the process of turning raw materials into everyday products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the products where chemical engineering plays a central role.
About IChemE
IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers) is the hub for chemical, biochemical and process engineering professionals worldwide. With a growing global membership of over 30,000, the Institution is at the heart of the process community, promoting competence and a commitment to best practice, advancing the discipline for the benefit of society, encouraging young people in science and engineering and supporting the professional development of its members. For more information, visit www.icheme.org
