International Engineering Alliance published translations of the Graduate Attributes and Professional Competencies Framework

The Graduate Attributes and Professional Competencies Framework (GAPC) is the international engineering benchmark which is the basis for mutual recognition of engineering qualifications and professional engineering credentials across more than 30 nations.

The GAPC was reviewed between November 2019 and March 2021 and unanimously approved by the International Engineering Alliance (IEA) signatories in June 2021.

The review of the GAPC was a collaborative project between WFEO and IEA, supported by UNESCO. Former WFEO President Dr Marlene Kanga initiated the project during her term as President and led the Project on behalf of WFEO.

The joint IEA-WFEO Working Group engaged extensively with IEA signatories, WFEO members and WFEO partners representing academics, industry and women globally. WFEO partners that collaborated on the project included the International Centre for Engineering Education (ICEE), the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES), the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) and the International Network for Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES).

The reviewed GAPC reflects requirements for new technologies and engineering disciplines, new pedagogies and values such as sustainable development, diversity and inclusion and ethics. They are well positioned to support the engineering role in building a more sustainable and equitable world.

WFEO subsequently engaged with ICEE for the translations of the GAPC into the six official UNESCO languages including French, Spanish. Arabic, Russian and Chinese. These translations were completed in January 2022 and reviewed by IEA Signatories. The translations into French, Spanish and Chinese were published in June 2023. Translations into Russian and Arabic are being reviewed by the relevant IEA signatories and will be published shortly. IEA and WFEO appreciate the contribution of the International Centre for Engineering Education (ICEE) Tsinghua University, to this effort, which supports the global engineering community.

The translations are intended to provide greater clarity and understanding for all IEA signatories and as guidance to enable IEA signatories to work effectively within their communities and within the IEA. It should be noted that the translated GAPC documents do not replace the approved (2021.1) English version of the GAPC which remains the default authority.

First page of the Chinese translation of the IEA GAPC

First page of the French translation of the IEA GAPC

First page of the Spanish translation of the IEA GAPC

Article Contributed by Dr Marlene Kanga, WFEO President 2017-2019.

For more information: