Looking for tools to internationalise your Civil Engineering programme? Use the CALOHEA Reference Framework as a benchmarking tool

Written by Dr. Taksiah A. Majid, CALOHEA Subject Area Group Coordinator; Pablo Beneitone and Maria Yarosh, CALOHEA Coordination Team

CALOHEA Regional Subject-Specific Qualifications Reference Framework in Civil Engineering articulates key dimensions and sub-dimensions within any graduate’s profile and makes explicit what knowledge, skills and responsibilities correspond to each of the defined (sub-)dimensions.

It has been developed by Institute of Technology of Cambodia (Cambodia), Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (Indonesia), Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (Indonesia), Universitas Hasanuddin (Indonesia), Universiti Sains Malaysia (Malaysia), Universiti Malaya (Malaysia), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Malaysia), University of San Agustin (the Philippines), Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), Naresuan University (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Vietnam), National University of Civil Engineering (Vietnam), National University of Laos (Laos) and Souphanouvong University (Laos). The final product reflects opinions of academics, graduates, and employers from different countries involved and it has been validated through focus group discussions and two rounds of National Dissemination Meetings held throughout 2023 in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam (14 meetings in total).

The Regional Subject-Specific Qualifications and Assessment Reference Frameworks for Civil Engineering are developed through collaborative efforts among 14 institutions across 7 ASEAN countries, encapsulating a comprehensive set of Program Learning Outcomes (POs) essential for a well-rounded Civil Engineering graduate. The iterative refinement process, informed by extensive stakeholder consultations, ensured that the framework not only met but exceeded the expectations of academia, industry, and graduates alike. Through successive versions, culminating in Framework V4.0, concerns and recommendations were systematically addressed to enhance clarity, alignment with international standards, and inclusivity. A critical aspect highlighted through the consultation process was the development of a Generic Civil Engineering Qualification Framework that comprehensively addresses the three dimensions of KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and RESPONSIBILITY domains. The CALOHEA project serves as a catalyst for fostering mutual recognition among ASEAN universities, thereby facilitating seamless credit transfer initiatives and enhancing students’ mobility within the region. By adhering to standardised quality benchmarks and recognition mechanisms, universities can transcend geographical boundaries and collectively elevate the academic landscape of ASEAN higher education. As the project continues to evolve and mature, its legacy will extend far beyond the confines of Civil Engineering, serving as a beacon of excellence and collaboration for the entire ASEAN higher education community.

To consult the CALOHEA Regional Subject-Specific Qualifications Reference Framework in Civil Engineering, visit https://calohea.org/

The CALOHEA Erasmus+ project is coordinated by the Tuning Academy of the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) and the ASEAN University Network and is co-funded by the European Commission.