EACTS

EU-ASEAN Credit Transfer System

Contribution towards an EU-ASEAN Credit Transfer System leading to Implementation of Student Mobility and Joint-Award Degree Programs in Engineering Education

The development of the EU-ASEAN Credit Transfer System (EACTS) intends to contribute to the enhancement and regulation of student mobility across EU and ASEAN in engineering education. An interregional academic exchange is nowadays essential for engineering students. Studying abroad not only represents the best way to get to know and respect other cultures, but is also a fundamental qualification for the future professional life of the student heading for a globalized labour market. Engineers with a strong international background are well prepared for the competitive global economy and do not fear cultural and traditional differences.

Student mobility in engineering across EU and ASEAN face many challenges. Not only the educational systems are deeply different in the sense of curriculum structure, admission criteria and assessments for students, but also the concept of engineering itself may be understood differently in the two regions. In fact, technology development has followed diverse paths with diverse timing in the two region: slow and spread over centuries in EU memberstates, fast and concentrated during the last 50 years in ASEAN countries. This fact, together with differences in culture, tradition and religion, may lead to the speculation that engineering education and profession are understood differently in the two considered regions.

Up to the present, student mobility in engineering education between EU and ASEAN universities has taken place thanks to the efforts of single individuals. Exchange students moving between EU and ASEAN countries have been considered, till now, as a kind of exception, and exchange programs have been built on an "ad hoc" basis. A common regulation of the exchange schemes accepted by engineering faculties at EU and ASEAN institutions of higher educations does not exist. EACTS intends to systematize and regulate the student mobility in engineering education across EU and ASEAN. By means of EACTS as a reliable and recognized credit transfer system, the number of exchange students between the continents is expected to increase and consequently enhance the scientific and economic exchange between companies and research institutions in the two regions.

The project aims to support mutual understanding between the partner institutions on the differences in educational and cultural systems, to support student mobility and joint degree programmes.