Choose a statement, or scroll down to view all statements:

• Statement on Diversity

• Statement on Licensure and Licensure-Related Certification

• Statement on Partnering

Statement of Policy on Diversity 

ABET is committed to developing and using the talents of all qualified persons who study or work in the applied science, computing, engineering, and technology professions.  We respect the human qualities, both similarities and differences, present in the work and study environments of our constituencies as they are affected by our efforts to assure quality and stimulate innovation.  The actions of ABET’s program evaluators, commissioners, staff, and Board of Directors must demonstrate and confirm respect for each other and the contributions that each of us can make.  Our professions benefit from the creativity and constructive improvements best informed and achieved by persons with varied perspectives, experiences, and talents who work toward shared goals.

Differences and similarities among the ABET constituency include, but are not limited to:

• age and experience

• economic status

• education and training

• employment history

• gender

• job level

• physical and mental abilities

• professional employment

• race, nationality, and ethnicity

• religion

• sexual orientation

• ways of learning and communicating

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Statement of Policy on Licensure and Licensure-Related Certification

ABET encourages graduates of ABET accredited programs and other educationally qualified persons who work or practice in the applied sciences, computing, engineering, and technology professions to strive for professional recognition by enhancing their individual credentials through licensure and certification programs.  Licensure and certification are among the recognized methods of demonstrating to the public an individual’s competency, qualification and expertise in professional practice.  Moreover, licensure and licensure related certification provide a commitment to the understanding of professional, ethical, and societal responsibilities, and emphasize the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare within society.

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ABET Statement of Policy on Partnering
ABET recognizes that its ability to fulfill its vision, mission, and strategic plan relies almost entirely on its available resources, human, financial, and otherwise.  Therefore, ABET pursues such resources, so long as that pursuit adheres to the governing principles set forth in the ABET Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of Procedure and to the customer service principles set forth in the ABET Quality Promise.  Whenever possible, ABET’s pursuit of resources will involve partnering or forming alliances with organizations that share common goals.  Such organizations may be domestic or international nonprofit, for-profit, or governmental agencies.  They may be associations, corporations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), peer quality assurance organizations, or others.

General Principles of ABET Partnerships
ABET partnerships provide ABET with either financial support, in-kind support, or both and may include any or all of the following elements: grantmaking, sponsorship, licensing, message promotion, employee involvement, and advocacy.

 No matter what type of support an ABET partnership provides, it must:

• Further ABET’s vision, mission, and/or strategic plan.

• Clearly benefit one or more of ABET’s constituencies (which include institutions, professional societies, the general public, and the technical professions).

• Adhere to the governing principles set forth in the ABET Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of Procedure.

• Be consistent with the customer service principles set forth in the ABET Quality Promise.

• Mutually benefit all partners.

• Give appropriate attribution to ABET.

In addition, an ABET partnership:

• Does not imply endorsement of products or services provided by the partner.

• Will avoid any and all real or perceived conflicts of interest.

• Will be managed by ABET staff ethically and with integrity.

• Will comply with applicable local, state, and national laws.

• Will not prevent ABET from exercising independent judgment in all decision-making.

• Will be disclosed to the public.

• Will be documented through written agreement.

• Will include a timeline with specified beginning and ending dates.

• Will incur no unbudgeted financial liability for ABET, Inc.

Any use of the ABET, Inc., name, logo, and identifying marks shall be reviewed and approved by ABET in advance of their use.

ABET-Nonprofit Partnership
Formal partnership between ABET and any nonprofit entity shall be called an ABET-nonprofit partnership.

ABET has long understood the importance of nonprofit partnering to assure quality and stimulate innovation in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology education.  Not only was the organization founded via nonprofit partnership—partnership among disparate professional and technical societies—but, nearly 75 years later, it continues to operate as a nonprofit partnership—a federation of more than two-dozen professional and technical societies, working together to achieve shared goals. 

Partnering with others in the nonprofit community:

• Strengthens ABET’s support among community leaders.

• Provides the opportunity to leverage mutually limited resources.

• Enhances ABET recognition and helps broadcast its achievements, opportunities, and core messages to all levels of the vast communities it serves.

ABET-Corporate Partnership
Formal partnership between ABET and any for-profit entity shall be called an ABET-corporate partnership.  While ABET-corporate partnerships are a more recent development in ABET’s history, these partnerships have been rich and mutually beneficial.   

Partnering with corporations:

• Provides ABET with financial opportunities not available in other sectors it serves.

• Raises ABET’s profile among corporate leadership and employees within the broad industries it serves who might not otherwise be aware of the organization and its activities.

• Provides ABET with input from one of its most important yet underrepresented constituencies.

ABET-Governmental Partnership
Formal partnership between ABET and any government agency shall be called an ABET-governmental partnership.  Governmental partnerships have allowed ABET to make a significant impact on the communities it serves, particularly among postsecondary programs and institutions. 

Partnering with national agencies:

• Offers consistent financial support for even the largest of ABET’s projects.

• Provides ABET with an external evaluator/consultant for its initiatives.

• Permits ABET to serve as an evaluator/consultant for its initiatives

• Confers national or international recognition and validation of ABET’s initiatives.

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