Schulich professor named chair of Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board

A Schulich School of Engineering professor has taken over a leading role with the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).

Dr. Jeff Pieper, PhD, becomes the second person from the University of Calgary to become board chair since Dr. Rod de Paiva, PhD, in 1991-1992.

The CEAB has accredited all engineering programs in Canada since 1965, which now includes more than 300 programs at 44 post-secondary institutions.

The board looks at the kind of education students are receiving, the quality of their experiences, and the environment for teaching and learning.

Pieper says he saw this as an opportunity for the CEAB to bring engineering schools, professional engineering associations and industry together.

“These different groups have varying viewpoints and I’m working to bring us all together to a single vision of how accreditation can help the profession have an even greater positive impact on society,” he says. 

Opportunity through experience

A professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and an associate dean at Schulich, Pieper has a wealth of knowledge and experience in engineering programs and procedures.

He is also a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) Discipline Committee, which makes and enforces malpractice decisions.

Pieper has also led major policy initiatives in progressing Engineers Canada’s 30 By 30 initiative, aimed at promoting female-identifying individuals in engineering and other STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects.

“The engineering profession continues to evolve at an ever-accelerating rate,” he says. “Keeping up with emerging trends and maintaining a relevant and effective accreditation system is my highest priority.”

Pieper’s work also includes redefining “engineering design” through Engineers Canada as well as the Futures of Engineering Accreditation project, which collects research about the purpose and scope of the accreditation process to help Engineers Canada make more-informed policy decisions. 

Standing up for the profession

During his one-year term as board chair, Pieper will have a variety of roles and responsibilities.

He will lead the board in its accreditation work while developing policy for the entire accreditation system, as well as liaising with regulators, Engineers Canada and Engineering Deans Canada.

Pieper will also represent Canada on the global stage at the International Engineering Alliance and the associated Washington Accord group of countries that follow the same accreditation processes. The accord also establishes and benchmarks the standard for professional engineering education by the 20 signatories.

His term also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the iron ring, which is worn by Canadian-trained engineers as a reminder of their ethical obligations.

“I’m most proud of the excellence that the CEAB has portrayed within Canada and internationally as the gold standard for ensuring highest-quality engineers as graduates of our accredited programs,” Pieper says. “It is a perfect time to re-emphasize our national goals for engineering.”

After his term end, he will serve for another year as past chair.