STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

Abstract

Accreditation of programmes in universities is a form of responsibility between education providers and stakeholders in producing graduates who meet the requirements in accordance with the provisions. In Malaysia, Majlis Akreditasi dan Pendidikan Senibina Malaysia was formed under the purview of Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia as the professional body, responsible for coordinating, monitoring, and regulating the National competency standard of local Architectural education programmes. This study is to review the current architecture accreditation process and to propose a new accreditation framework that can improve the assessment method used, based on the criteria and standards of accreditation for Architectural programmes. Current accreditation assessment procedure lack of objective assessment mechanism to indicate definable performance of an Architectural programme which includes a set of determination statement related to the criterion that can be used to measure consistency in an accreditation outcome. The adoption of an objective assessment mechanism will systematically ensure traceability of assessment results are backed by fundamental requirements, which is typically not found in an objectively or judgement-based assessment method. The new accreditation framework should act as a strategic tool in identifying the accreditation process outcome by producing a guided and measured assessment which may adopt an automated platform. It is vital to understand and identify ways to improve the assessment process during accreditation for visiting panels, ascertain a justified outcome for education providers and enhance connections between the professional body and higher learning institutions. The proposed mixed method through action research approach will require participatory from both the professional body and education providers to promote development and put into practice the maintenance of standard and quality within architectural education.