Advancing Education
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Providing a collective voice for engineering deans to engage with government, industry, and the profession on vital issues.
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Leading Engineering Education in Australia
SUPPORTING UNIVERSITIES

The Australian Council of Engineering Deans Inc. (ACED) exists to promote and advance engineering education, research and scholarship on behalf of the Australian higher education system.
ACED's member universities are each represented by a senior staff member from its Engineering Faculty or School. These provide 'formative' and advanced engineering qualifications, research, and consultancy services. The formative Masters, Bachelor (Honours), Bachelor degrees, Associate Degrees and Advanced Diplomas, that are accredited by Engineers Australia, qualify their graduates to enter practice as professional engineers, engineering technologists and engineering associates.
In 2014, the ACED member Faculties and Schools graduated nearly 20,000 students, more than half with Bachelor and Bachelor (Honours) degrees.
ACED supports its members, and the development of Australian engineering more generally, by making submissions to government inquiries, and undertaking projects aimed at improving the quality of engineering courses and research. Many of these activities are undertaken as collaborations of ACED members, and with other organisations, including Engineers Australia, the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE), and the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE).
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To create economic and social impact by advancing engineering education, research and scholarship on behalf of Australian universities.
Priority Objectives
Promotion: To provide a forum for Australian leaders of engineering education to discuss matters of mutual concern and national importance, thereby contributing to matters such as raising general community awareness on the need for and value of high-quality engineering education, research training in the higher education sector.
Engagement: To further the interests of engineering education and research in the higher education through engagement and outreach with relevant national and international bodies, particularly EA, AaeE and NZCED
Policy: To develop positions and make statements on relevant issues in response to government inquiries and concerns of professional and industry bodies, and to the media and the general community
Projects: To initiate and conduct reviews and projects consistent with its mission. This would include monitoring the state of engineering education and scholarship, benchmarking programs and resources and the quality of outcomes
Leadership: To support the development
The Council operated as an unincorporated association from 1993 to mid-2011. In June 2011 the Council incorporated in New South Wales, as the Australian Council of Engineering Deans Inc.
Under its Constitution :
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ACED members are the Australian universities that operate degree programs accredited by Engineers Australia, each represented by the persons who has executive responsibility for those programs and related matters;
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ACED members pay an annual subscription;
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the full Council meets twice per year, with its AGM in Autumn;
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the affairs of the Council are run by an Executive Committee of six elected members, chaired by the President, and supported by the part-time Executive Officer;
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the President and Deputy President are elected to two-year terms, with the Deputy President normally succeeding to the President role;
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the Committee of Associate Deans (Learning & Teaching) from the member universities undertakes specific projects in teaching and learning;
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the Committee of Associate Deans (Research) from the member universities undertakes specific projects in research and research training;
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ACED provides financial support to its members to undertake small collaborative projects on matters of importance.
Partner Organisations
In addition to working with EA and AaeE, during recent years ACED has also worked with the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and the Australian Council of Deans of ICT (ACDICT) on matters of mutual interest. The Council is a Chapter Member of the Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC).
Engineering 2035
The Engineering 2035 project was commissioned by the Australian Council of Engineering Deans to consider the changing nature of professional engineering practice and the implications for engineering education in Australia.
ACED fosters collaboration between Australia’s university engineering faculties to share best practices, align on strategic priorities, and respond collectively to emerging challenges in engineering education. Through coordinated leadership and dialogue, ACED supports continuous improvement across curricula, accreditation, and educational outcomes.
ACED works with international partners and peer organisations to benchmark Australian engineering education against global standards. Through international collaboration and knowledge exchange, ACED supports the adoption of best practice and ensures Australian engineering graduates remain globally competitive.
ACED supportsLeadersInnovatorsEducators
ACED leads the strategic development of engineering education, ensuring Australian graduates are world-class
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International Collaboration
ACED facilitates international collaboration and benchmarking to strengthen the quality, relevance, and recognition of Australian engineering education worldwide.
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ACED
The Australian Council of Engineering Deans (ACED) represents Australia’s university engineering leaders, supporting excellence in engineering education, research, and national policy through advocacy, leadership, and evidence-based insights.
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National Engineering Leadership
Delivering independent advice and strategic direction for Australia’s engineering education sector.
