The University of Michigan- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI) has just been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) on two of its undergraduate programs, i.e., mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering.

2015年10月ABET现场评估合影

2015年10月ABET现场评估团做总结发言The ABET review panel visited JI for the on-site evaluation in October 2015

The ABET’s final assessment report on JI points out that JI has an excellent international interdisciplinary team of faculty members who are dedicated to developing students’ innovative capabilities, leadership and communication skills. JI students’ outstanding quality has been recognized by top universities and enterprises all over the world. The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET is impressed by JI’s practical training with engineering projects throughout the undergraduate years where students of both mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering team up and solve real-world practical problems. In addition, JI’s core education philosophy of I3Q, namely, Internationalization, Interdisciplinarity, Innovation and Quality, has also been highly commended by the accreditation commission.
Obtaining ABET accreditation is a milestone for JI on starting its second decade. Dean Peisen Huang remarked: “ABET accreditation signifies that JI’s quality and education model have been recognized by the international education community, which will boost JI’s international collaboration and global competitiveness. The accreditation will have a huge impact on students’ educational and career opportunities.”
President Zhang Jie of Shanghai Jiao Tong University was gratified on hearing the good news. He said: “This achievement is the result of the great efforts of all JI’s leaders, faculty and staff. It is not only JI’s honor but also SJTU’s pride! I hope JI’s ABET accreditation will promote SJTU’s international cooperation, attract good-quality international students and advance the international development of SJTU’s strong engineering program! ”
ABET accreditation is one of the world’s most authoritative accreditation in the field of applied science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. JI began preparing for the accreditation in 2012. During the three-year preparation, JI clarified its training objectives, standardized  the curriculum, improved the laboratory facilities and conditions, strengthened the safety management and education, and enhanced the levels of experimental teaching and student services. JI formally applied for ABET accreditation in January 2015 and submitted the self-assessment report in July of the same year. In October 2015, JI completed the ABET on-site evaluation, showing the review panel JI’s curriculum, student achievements, software and hardware facilities, evaluations of teachers and students, etc., demonstrating JI’s outstanding performance in the eight aspects of ABET’s standard requirement, such as educational goal, student capabilities and sustainable development.
The UM-SJTU Joint Institute was established jointly by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Michigan in April 2006, aiming at building a world-class institute for educating innovative global leaders on China’s soil. As a successful example of international educational cooperation, JI has been in the forefront of internationalization of higher education. Over the past decade of fusing the philosophy and strong suits of both the Chinese and American education systems, the Joint Institute has blazed a trail of rapidly building a world-class engineering school through international collaboration and thereby set the prominent JI model. In recent years, JI has won multiple high-profile awards, including “Model of Chinese Higher Education Reform” from Chinese State Council and “Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in Higher Education” from  the Institute of International Education,  one of the highest honors in international education.
Currently, JI has 1,271 students, including 1,111 undergraduate, 160 graduate students and 41 overseas students.