Lima Accord 2016

Lima Accord: Purpose, Origins, and Impact

The Lima Accord is a multilateral agreement established to enhance the quality and international recognition of undergraduate engineering programs across Latin America and the Caribbean. Signed on September 6, 2016, in Lima, Peru, the Lima Accord brings together leading accreditation organizations from the region to mutually recognize accredited engineering programs and promote high standards in engineering education123.

Origins and Development of the Lima Accord

The Lima Accord emerged from a collaborative effort among accreditation agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean, who recognized the need for a unified framework to improve engineering education and facilitate professional mobility. The process began in September 2014 during the 1st IEEE Region 9 Latin American Accreditation Body Summit in Lima, where the idea of a regional accord was first discussed2.

A year later, in September 2015, the Lima Declaration was signed—a pledge among accrediting bodies to work toward the creation of the Accord. This declaration laid the groundwork for the drafting, feedback, and eventual signing of the Lima Accord in 20162.

Founding Members and Signatories

The founding members of the Lima Accord include:

• Agencia Acreditadora Colegio de Ingenieros de Chile (Acredita CI S.A.), Chile
• Agencia de Acreditación de Programas de Ingeniería y de Arquitectura (AAPIA), Costa Rica
• Caribbean Accreditation Council of Engineering and Technology (CACET)
• Consejo de Acreditación de la Enseñanza de la Ingeniería Superior, A.C. (CACEI), Mexico
• Instituto de Calidad y Acreditación de Programas de Computación, Ingeniería y Tecnología (ICACIT), Peru
• Sistema Nacional de Evaluación, Acreditación y Certificación de la Calidad Educativa (SINEACE), Peru12

The Accord is open to all accrediting agencies and related organizations from Latin America and the Caribbean, aiming to broaden participation and strengthen regional cooperation2.

Objectives and Purpose

The Lima Accord was set up with the following core objectives:

• Mutual Recognition: To establish mutual recognition of accredited undergraduate engineering programs, ensuring that graduates are prepared for professional practice across the region123.
• Quality Assurance: To promote continuous improvement and international standards in engineering education, enhancing the global competitiveness of Latin American and Caribbean engineering graduates23.
• Professional Mobility: By aligning accreditation standards, the Accord facilitates the mobility of engineering professionals within the region, making it easier for graduates to work in different countries2.
• Regional Collaboration: The Accord fosters collaboration among accrediting bodies, enabling the sharing of best practices, resources, and strategies for educational improvement2.

Implementation and Activities

Since its signing, the Lima Accord has held annual meetings to refine its rules, procedures, and graduation attributes. For example:

• In November 2017, the Second Annual Meeting in Mérida, Mexico, defined the Agreement’s rules and began developing graduation attributes as the basis for engineering training2.
• In November 2018, the Third Annual Meeting in Santiago de Chile focused on administrative aspects and unanimously approved the discharge attributes document, further standardizing accreditation criteria2.

The Lima Accord and the Lima Declaration (1975)

While the Lima Accord (2016) focuses specifically on engineering education accreditation in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Lima Declaration of 1975 is a separate, historic international agreement adopted at the Second General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The 1975 Declaration aimed to promote global industrial development and economic equity, setting ambitious targets for the industrialization of developing countries8.

Key distinctions:

• Lima Accord (2016): Multilateral agreement for mutual recognition of engineering program accreditation in Latin America and the Caribbean123.
• Lima Declaration (1975): UNIDO-led declaration for global industrial development and cooperation, not directly related to engineering education accreditation8.

The Lima Accord represents a significant step forward for engineering education in Latin America and the Caribbean. By establishing a framework for mutual recognition of accredited programs, it strengthens quality assurance, supports professional mobility, and enhances the region’s ability to compete in the global knowledge economy123. While it shares the name “Lima” with the 1975 Declaration, the Accord is a distinct and modern initiative focused on educational standards and professional development in engineering.

Citations:

1. https://www.acreditaci.cl/en/international/lima-accord/
2. https://accreditation.org/accreditation-processes/accords/lima-accord
3. https://limaaccord.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Lima-Accord-EN.pdf
4. https://accreditation.org/accreditation-processes/accords
5. https://peer.asee.org/engineering-program-accreditation-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean.pdf
6. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2014/12/what-was-the-key-achievement-in-lima/
7. https://webicacit.com/en/icacit-en
8. https://www.unido.org/sites/default/files/2012-10/Lima%20Declaration%20and%20Plan%20of%20Action%20on%20Industrial%20Development%20and%20Co-operation_26.3.1975_0.PDF