MÜDEK Operational Regulations

Türkçe

(Accepted by the General Assembly on June 23, 2007)

(pdf)

ARTICLE 1 Grounds, Purpose and Scope

These regulations are issued based on Articles 15 and 17 of the Charter of the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Engineering Programs (MÜDEK).

The purpose of these regulations is to define the operations of the Engineering Programs Accreditation Board of MÜDEK, as well as all other boards, commissions, and working groups serving as MÜDEK bodies.

These regulations cover matters for which a resolution of the General Assembly is needed in regard to the operations of the association.

ARTICLE 2 Definitions and Abbreviations

In these regulations, the following terms and abbreviations will be used under the following definitions:

1. "MÜDEK" stands for the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Engineering Programs,
2. "General Assembly" stands for the General Assembly of MÜDEK,
3. "Executive Board" stands for MÜDEK's Executive Board,
4. "MAK" stands for the Engineering Programs Accreditation Board, which directs activities regarding the evaluation and accreditation of engineering programs on behalf of MÜDEK,
5. "Criteria" stands for the MÜDEK Evaluation Criteria to be used for the accreditation of engineering programs,
6. "MDK" stands for the Engineering Deans Council, constituted by the deans of the engineering and engineering and architecture faculties of universities in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,
7. "ABK" stands for the Nominating Committee constituted to help with the selection of the members and the vice-chair of MAK.

ARTICLE 3 Purposes of the Accreditation of Engineering Programs

MÜDEK pursues the following specific objectives in performing the function of "program evaluation and accreditation" set out in its charter, regulations, and directives:

1. Identifying engineering programs that meet minimal evaluation criteria in order to inform society, future students, student counselors, parents and legal guardians of students, educational institutions, professional societies, prospective employers, and public organizations,
2. Fostering the advancement and continuous improvement of existing programs in engineering as well as the development of new programs,
3. Encouraging the development of engineering education in Turkey.

ARTICLE 4 Engineering Programs Accreditation Board (MAK)

The Engineering Programs Accreditation Board takes the necessary actions for the evaluation and accreditation of engineering programs. This board is referred to as "MAK" in all public documents and correspondence of MÜDEK.

4.1 Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities of MAK

1. Preparing and implementing a detailed schedule for the accreditation of undergraduate and graduate degree programs of the engineering and engineering-architecture faculties of universities in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on behalf of MÜDEK and making decisions regarding accreditation,
2. If requested, evaluating undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering, other than those of the engineering and engineering and architecture faculties of universities in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, subject to the means available, and without making decisions regarding accreditation,
3. Selecting the program evaluation teams and program evaluators, co-evaluators, team chairs, and co-chairs to be appointed to these teams,
4. Nominating program evaluators,
5. Proposing to the Executive Board amendments to the standing accreditation processes and evaluation criteria as needed.

4.2 Terms of MAK Membership

1. MAK consists of a total of eight (8) members: four (4) academics from universities, a representative of the Union of the Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), a representative of the Turkish Quality Association (KalDer), and two industry representatives.
2. One of the MAK members shall serve as chair, a second member shall serve as vice-chair, who shall serve as chair of the following term, and a third member shall serve as chair of the previous period (past chair).
3. MAK membership begins in the month of January and lasts for two (2) years; members cannot serve for a period longer than three (3) successive terms without interruption. Such a restriction does not apply to the chair and the past chair.
4. The term of the chair, the vice-chair and the past chair are two (2) years. This term may not be extended.

4.3 Conditions of MAK Membership

1. MAK members should have experience in engineering education and/or the engineering profession.
2. Academic members should have experience in engineering programs accredited domestically and/or abroad. Academic members may be academic staff or retired academic staff, except those serving as a university’s President, Vice President, Advisor to the President, Dean, Associate Dean, Graduate School Director, or Graduate School Associate Director.
3. Non-academic members should have experience in at least one of the following areas: engineering education, management of engineers, and quality processes.
4. MAK members should have served as an evaluator or co-evaluator on a minimum of two (2) site-visit teams of MÜDEK, or in similar domestic or international organizations evaluating engineering programs.
5. A person cannot simultaneously be a member of the MÜDEK Executive Board and of MAK.
6. A person cannot simultaneously be a member of the MÜDEK Auditing Board and of MAK.
7. The MAK vice-chair should have served as a MAK member for at least one (1) year prior to holding this position.
8. A chair whose term expires shall turn over duty to the vice-chair; his/her MAK membership continues for another period as the immediate past chair.

4.4 Appointment of MAK Members

1. The members and the vice-chair of MAK for an upcoming term shall be appointed by the Executive Board from among the nominees to be nominated by ABK in accordance with the terms of membership.
2. The Executive Board may ask for ABK's nomination to be amended. If the second nomination by ABK is not considered appropriate either, the Executive Board may make a direct appointment.
3. The new members and/or vice-chair appointed by the Executive Board shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the beginning of the following calendar year.
4. The process of the selection of MAK members shall be determined by the ABK Directives, to be approved and published by the Executive Board.

4.5 MAK Meetings and Operational Principles

1. The MAK chair is responsible for the MAK's operation. In the absence of the chair, the MAK vice-chair is in charge.
2. MAK holds a minimum of four (4) meetings every year. The call for a MAK meeting accompanied by the agenda shall be provided by the MAK chair to the MAK members, the representative of the Executive Board and the chair of the Executive Board, in writing and/or by e-mail no later than two (2) weeks prior to a meeting.
3. MAK members have to attend the MAK meetings in person. They may not send representatives. The membership of any member shall be automatically terminated, if s/he fails to attend three successive meetings without excuse.
4. MAK meetings are held only in presence of the absolute majority of members. The chair, or in the chair's absence the vice-chair, presides over the meeting.
5. MAK meetings are open to the members of the Executive Board, but they do not hold any voting rights; the representative of the Executive Board providing a liaison between the MAK and the Executive Board must attend each MAK meeting, but s/he does not hold voting rights.
6. Decisions regarding regulations, directives and criteria as well as accreditation decisions are to be based on a minimum of five (5) votes; all other decisions are to be made by a majority vote of the attending members.
7. In cases needing immediate negotiation and decision, other than ordinary MAK meetings and accreditation decisions, virtual meetings can be organized with the help of communication and voting means such as mail, fax, e-mail and web pages. However, the terms described in items (d) and (f) above are also applicable for decisions made in this manner.

4.6 Representation of MAK on the Executive Board

The MAK chair attends the meetings of the Executive Board, without voting rights, in order to provide a liaison between the MAK and the Executive Board.

4.7 Withdrawal from MAK Membership

In case of withdrawal from MAK membership before the expiration of the relevant term, action shall be taken according to the following rules:

1. No election is made to replace the immediate past chair; this position is to remain vacant until the end of the relevant term.
2. The vice-chair substitutes for the chair until the end of the calendar year by proxy and serves as chair after the beginning of the following year. A member appointed by the Executive Board substitutes for the vice-chair until the end of the calendar year, and a vice-chair is elected to serve with the beginning of the following year. These actions are to be taken in accordance with the procedures defined in Article 4.4.
3. TMMOB and KalDer shall notify MÜDEK of their nomination of the new representative within thirty (30) days in case their representative withdraws. The new representatives are determined as defined in Article 4.4.
4. In case any member other than the chair, vice-chair, TMMOB representative or KalDer representative withdraws, the position remains vacant until the end of the calendar year. The new members are determined according to Article 4.4, to serve beginning with the following year.

ARTICLE 5 Program Evaluation Teams and Program Evaluators

5.1 Program Evaluation Teams

1. Accreditation evaluations are conducted by program evaluation teams.
2. Program evaluations teams are formed by MAK. A separate evaluation team is formed for each institution whose programs are to be evaluated.
3. Program evaluation teams consist of a team chair and program evaluators. If necessary, a co-chair and/or co-evaluators and/or observers can also be included in the team.
4. The team chair and co-chair are appointed from among those members who are currently serving or have previously served on MAK or, if required, from among experienced program evaluators who have served as MÜDEK evaluators for a minimum of two (2) terms.
5. The rules to be observed during the selection of the program evaluation teams are determined by the Directive on Policies and Procedure for Evaluation and Accreditation, as approved and published by the Executive Board.

5.2 Program Evaluators

1. Program evaluators are selected from the pool of program evaluators according to their fields of expertise.
2. Program evaluators included in the pool are expected to have considerable experience in educating engineers.
3. Each program evaluator is expected to have completed the training program provided by MÜDEK before participating in the visit. Moreover, it is strongly recommended for each program evaluator to have participated in a visiting team as a co-evaluator or observer.
4. Academic members are expected to have experience in the assessment, continuous improvement, and preparations for the accreditation of engineering programs accredited domestically and/or abroad.
5. Non-academic members should have experience in at least one of the following areas: engineering education, management of engineers, and quality processes.
6. In selecting the persons to be included in the pool of program evaluators, other considerations such as balance between academics/industrialists, gender, and organizations shall also be taken into account.
7. The rules for selecting the pool of program evaluators shall be determined by the ABK Directive, to be approved and published by the Executive Board.

5.3 Observers

1. If necessary, MÜDEK members, evaluator nominees, and representatives from domestic and foreign accreditation organizations may join the evaluation teams as observers upon MAK's decision, provided that the approval of the team chair and the relevant bodies has been obtained.
2. Within the scope of the cooperation of MÜDEK with foreign accreditation organizations, a representative from one of these organizations can join at least one of the program evaluation teams every year as an external observer. The organizations to be asked for external observers and the relevant arrangements are to be determined by the Executive Board.
3. External observers submit their report to the Executive Board at the end of the visit. The Executive Board will be responsible for considering such reports and using them for improvement.

ARTICLE 6 The Nominating Committee (ABK)

The Nominating Committee (ABK) made up of four (4) members will help with the election of the following MAK members:

1. MAK's immediate past chair, who will also serve as the chair of ABK,
2. the chair of MAK,
3. the vice-chair of MAK,
4. the representative of Executive Board providing a liaison between MAK and the Executive Board.

The duties, powers and responsibilities of ABK shall be determined in the ABK Directive, to be approved and published by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE 7 MÜDEK Training

1. Training is required for all new MAK members. In this training, all new MAK members are informed about MÜDEK policies, the structure and organization of MAK, and the accreditation process.
2. All new members of the Executive Board and Auditing Board of MÜDEK are informed about MÜDEK policies and operation of MÜDEK.
3. Training is required for all new evaluators included in the pool of program evaluators. Prospective evaluators who do not serve as evaluator for a period of three years after receiving program evaluator training are required to undergo evaluator training again before serving as evaluator. This training will ensure that all members of the visiting teams are knowledgeable about MÜDEK evaluation criteria and also have the skills and attitudes expected from evaluation team members.
4. MÜDEK may organize briefing and training programs for the staff of the institutions intending to apply for accreditation evaluation.
5. The Training Committee formed by the Executive Board is responsible for the organization of MÜDEK training programs. The structure of the training committee, the appointment of the members, the terms of duty, and the operational principles are set out by the Training Committee Directive, to be approved and published by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE 8 MÜDEK Evaluation Criteria

1. The criteria used by MÜDEK in evaluating programs determine the minimum accreditation requirements to be met by an engineering program.
2. A Criteria Committee is formed for periodical revision and update of the criteria, which determines specific criteria for a new discipline to be introduced and periodically re-evaluates the criteria.
3. For any changes to the MÜDEK evaluation criteria, the opinions of external stakeholders - such as the engineering and engineering and architecture faculties of universities in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, relevant departments (for criteria specific to the disciplines of engineering), TMMOB and other relevant professional associations, representatives of engineering students, and so forth - and of internal stakeholders - such as the members of MAK and MÜDEK, and MÜDEK evaluators - shall be sought.
4. Changes to the criteria shall be put into effect upon the decision of the Executive Board and become applicable as of the following evaluation period.
5. The structure, election, and length of appointment of its members, the operational principles of the Criteria Committee, and the procedures to change the criteria are determined by the Directive on the Procedures for Determining Evaluation Criteria, to be approved and published by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE 9 Conflict of Interest

1. Service as a member of MÜDEK's Executive Board, Auditing Board, and MAK may create situations resulting in conflict of interest or questions regarding the objectivity and credibility of the evaluation process. Members of MÜDEK's Executive Board, Auditing Board, and MAK are expected to behave in a professional and ethical manner, to disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest, and to excuse themselves from discussions or decisions involving real or perceived conflicts of interest.
2. Similarly, service as a team chair, team co-chair, program evaluator, or co-evaluator may create situations resulting in conflict of interest or questions regarding the objectivity and credibility of the evaluation process. MÜDEK expects these individuals to behave in a professional and ethical manner, to disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest, and to excuse themselves from discussions or decisions involving real or perceived conflicts of interest.
3. The intent of this policy is described as:
   1. Maintaining the credibility of the evaluation process and the reliability of the decisions of MÜDEK’s Executive Board, Auditing Board, MAK, program evaluators, and co-evaluators.
   2. Assuring fairness and impartiality of the decision-making process.
   3. Acting impartially and avoiding any actions causing an appearance of impropriety.
4. MAK members and individuals representing MÜDEK and MAK must not participate in any decision-making capacity if they have or have had a close and active association with a program or institution considered for official action by MÜDEK or MAK. A close and active association includes, but is not limited to the following:
   1. Current or past employment as faculty, staff, or consultant by the institution or program.
   2. Current or past discussion or negotiation of employment with the institution or program.
   3. Attendance as student at the institution.
   4. Receipt of an honorary degree from the institution.
   5. A close relative is a student or employee of the institution or program.
   6. An unpaid official relationship with an institution, e.g. membership on the institution's governing or advisory board.
5. All individuals representing MAK and thus MÜDEK must sign a Confidentiality and Ethical Conduct Statement, indicating that they will not create situations that may result in any conflict of interest, and that they have duly read and understood these policies.
6. The team chair, co-chair, the evaluators, and co-evaluators involved in the evaluation process are also asked to provide an additional written declaration that they do not have any real or perceived conflicts of interests with the institution and individuals related to the program to be evaluated.
7. Individuals must absent themselves from any portion of a MAK meeting during which discussions or decisions involving a real or perceived conflict of interest take place. The names of those individuals who declare themselves unauthorized due to a conflict of interest during a meeting will be put on record. Real or perceived conflict of interest may occur in the following situations:
   1. a close and active association with a program or institution.
   2. a financial, or personal interest.
   3. any reason that the individual cannot render an unbiased decision.

ARTICLE 10 Confidentiality

1. The information provided by the institutions is strictly for the confidential use of the members of MÜDEK’s boards, MÜDEK employees, and program evaluators and shall not be disclosed without specific written authorization of the institution concerned.
2. The contents of all materials obtained for review purposes and discussion during the meetings of MÜDEK’s Executive Board as well as MAK are considered confidential information.
3. The contents of such documents and any accreditation actions may be disclosed only by staff dealing with this specific matter, and only under predefined appropriate circumstances.
4. Members of MÜDEK’s boards, MÜDEK employees, and program evaluators shall sign a Confidentiality and Ethical Conduct Statement, indicating that they understand these principles of confidentiality and that they will duly observe them.

ARTICLE 11 Appeals

1. Appeals to the accreditation decisions of MÜDEK, requests for reconsideration, and requests for revisits may be made only in response to "not-to-accredit" actions.
2. Such appeals or requests for reconsideration may be based only on the grounds that the "not to accredit" decision was inappropriate because of factual errors or failure to conform to the published criteria, policies, or procedures of MÜDEK.
3. Only conditions known to MÜDEK at the time of the decision will be considered by MÜDEK in case of appeals or requests for reconsideration. In case of a request for revisit, substantial improvements and corrective actions prior to the request and documented by the institution will also be considered.
4. Evaluation and due decision about appeals shall be subject to the Directive on Policies and Procedures for Evaluation and Accreditation.

ARTICLE 12 Internal Auditing and Quality Assurance

12.1 Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

1. MÜDEK's quality policies are defined by MÜDEK Executive Board. MÜDEK Executive Board shall issue a MÜDEK Quality Policy declaration summarizing such quality policies.
2. The quality procedures to be pursued in order to ensure the operation and continuous improvement of all MÜDEK activities - especially evaluation and accreditation activities, including feedback from internal and external stakeholders - shall be subject to the Directive on Quality Processes, to be approved and published by the Executive Board.
3. The MÜDEK Auditing Board performs internal quality audits at least once a year regarding the conformity of MÜDEK activities to the published Quality Policy and quality processes. The MÜDEK Auditing Board submits a report containing the results of the internal quality auditing to the Executive Board in order to implement necessary improvements.

12.2 External Auditing

In addition to internal quality auditing, MÜDEK also has itself evaluated by an external quality organization at least once every five (5) years. The agencies charged with such evaluation and the timing of the inspections shall be decided by the Executive Board, under due consideration of the requirements for MÜDEK’s national and international recognition.

ARTICLE 13 Transparency and Accountability

MÜDEK is responsible for informing all stakeholders and the public about its program evaluation and accreditation activities. Hence, the following information and documents shall be published on MÜDEK’s web page (www.mudek.org.tr):

1. the charter, regulations, and directives determining the purposes and operation of MÜDEK,
2. the MÜDEK Evaluation Criteria used for evaluation and accreditation,
3. the format of the self-assessment report, the evaluation processes and procedures, and similar documentation which clearly describes the evaluation and accreditation process and the scope thereof, for institutions of higher education applying to MÜDEK for program evaluation and accreditation,
4. the Annual Operation Report summarizing the annual operations of MÜDEK, including the evaluation and accreditation activities,
5. a list of the engineering programs accredited by MÜDEK as well as accreditation information. This information contains the accreditation period and the terms of the accreditation granted.

ARTICLE 14 Archiving of MÜDEK Documents

1. The documents and reports related to MÜDEK's activities are regularly archived. The chair of the Executive Board ensures that the public documents and reports of MÜDEK are safely archived.
2. MÜDEK keeps a record of the list of the programs accredited by MÜDEK, the types of the accreditation granted, and their duration of validity.
3. The methods and periods for the archiving of the documents and reports regarding MÜDEK's activities, including the documents and reports related to the accreditation process and the results thereof, shall be subject to the Archiving Directive, to be approved and published by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE 15 Amendments to the Regulations

1. Proposals for an amendment to these regulations shall be submitted by the Executive Board to the General Assembly. Such proposals should also include a suggested date on which the amendment shall become effective. Proposed amendments to regulations that require an amendment to the Charter shall be submitted to the General Assembly.
2. Proposals for amendment to the regulations issued by the Executive Board shall be included in the meeting agenda and resolved in the first meeting of the General Assembly, together with the proposal for the amendment to the charter.

ARTICLE 16 Enforcement

These regulations are effective as of the date of adoption by the General Assembly.

PROVISIONAL ARTICLES

Provisional Article 1

The terms described in article 4.3 (d) of these regulations for TMMOB and KalDer representatives will come into effect as of the beginning of the year 2011; before 2011, article 4.3 (d) serves only as a recommendation.

Provisional Article 2

The restrictions described in articles 4.3 (e) and (f) of these regulations shall come into effect as of the beginning of the year 2011; before 2011, such articles serve only as recommendation.