Since the start of this year WPI's faculty has been busy planning how to implement the criteria established by ABET. So far a strategy for meeting the new criteria has been drafted and students are being selected to start the evaluations. The institute has also prepared an outline of points that will be considered when evaluating the achievements of students. These include the humanities sufficiency, IQP, MQP, distribution requirements, social sciences, etc. WPI has also prepared a guideline that will be used to evaluate WPI graduates in their job functions. Alumni and employers will be asked to give their input, on the graduates' performances. The guidelines require current students , and employed graduates, to demonstrate eight abilities. These include the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering; to design and conduct experiments as well as analyze and interpret data; design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs; function on multi-disciplinary teams; identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems; communicate effectively; use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice, etc., all of which are listed in ABET's "Engineering Criteria 2000" (on the World-Wide Web at http://www.abet.ba.md.us/EAC/eac.html).
"Engineering Criteria 2000" has been acknowledged by institutions, research organizations, and the scientific community. A meeting with key society personnel that was scheduled for February, 1996 has been postponed as the National Science Foundation has shown interest, and wants to sponsor the event. The conference, to be held in Baltimore, MD, from the 2nd to the 4th of May, is expected to attract the attention of key figures from the scientific and educational community, and will be attended by faculty members of other educational institutions. As a result it is hoped that WPI will gain more recognition for its achievements.
*Available on the World-Wide Web at http://www.wpi.edu/~newspeak/960206/Eng2000.html