OUTCOME BASED EDUCATION

Outcome-based education (OBE) is an educational theory that bases each part of an educational system around goals (outcomes). By the end of the educational experience, each student should have achieved the goal.

The International Engineering Alliance (IEA) is a global not-for-profit organization, which comprises members from 36 jurisdictions within 27 countries, across seven international agreements. These international agreements govern the recognition of engineering educational qualifications and professional competence. In 1989, the Washington Accord was signed and OBE system was adopted by the full signatory of these accord.

Pakistan has been declared as "Full Signatory" of the Washington Accord. A highest prestigious international forum of International Engineering Alliance, in its General Assembly Meeting held in USA on 21st June 2017. PEC was representing the country to attain full signatory status of WA since 2011. Washington Accord is a highly rigorous global standard on engineering education and accreditation system which grants substantial equivalence of degrees; means international recognition to equate at par with top leading signatory countries of the world. To give benefit to across border mobility of engineers.

It is pertinent to note that admission into WA is so rigorous that only 18 countries has got this status in last 25 years. Pakistan enter signatory status as 19th country and 3rd Islamic country after Malaysia & Turkey. Certainly, it has been a great achievement and honor for the nation, particularly the engineering profession and universities accredited by PEC under WA status. Engineers registered with PEC under this category of HEIs will be considered at par as world class competent professionals and will not be evaluated for any emigrational assessment for their degrees and will be eligible for professional jobs outside in developed countries. Also Engineering Consultant Companies working abroad may hire local Engineers registered with PEC.

HEC, PEC and many educational institutions of Pakistan are now moving towards OBE because of its relative advantages over the traditional education system. OBE emphasizes the achievement of student outcomes and thus improves the quality of education and will bring it at par with international standards. Outcome-based educational method has been adopted in education systems around the world, from primary to higher education levels. Accreditation bodies like 'Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)' and Washington Accord both accept OBE as the only teaching methodology.