Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering gains accreditation

NEW PALTZ — The SUNY New Paltz Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering recently received approval from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for its outstanding service to students.

The electrical and computer engineering programs were evaluated by ABET in the fall of 2001. The result of their survey awarded the computer engineering program accreditation for the first time since it was started in 1997, and the accreditation of the electrical engineering program was renewed.

“The ABET accreditation reflects a sustained effort on the part of the engineering faculty to have a program of national quality,” said John Harrington, dean of the School of Science and Engineering. “This good news clearly indicates that the level of engineering education provided by our faculty within these programs will continue to provide our students with the knowledge, training and experiences that will be required of them upon entering their professional careers or in pursuing graduate work. We are rightfully proud of these accomplishments by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.”

Ghader Eftekhari, chair of the Department Electrical and Computer Engineering, said that within the accreditation report the program was cited for strengths in a number of different categories.

“The laboratory facilities are well equipped and students cited the high degree of interaction and accessibility of their professors,” said Eftekhari. “And it also showed that faculty members are enthusiastic about teaching undergraduate students.”

The electrical engineering program at New Paltz was established in September 1984 and was first accredited in 1988. Since that time its accreditation has been renewed each time ABET has visited the campus. The ABET is the accreditation agency for all engineering and technology programs in the nation.