STUDY OF IMPACT OF OUTCOME-BASED EDUCATION (OBE) AFTER A DECADE

ENGINEERING ACCREDITATION COUNCIL, BOARD OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA

BEM STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2025

JUNE 2025

This report presents a comprehensive evaluation of Outcome Based Education (OBE) implementation in Malaysian engineering programmes, more than a decade after its formal adoption. Anchored in global frameworks such as the Washington Accord and the International Engineering Alliance’s Graduate Attributes and Professional Competencies (IEA GAPC), OBE was designed to enhance educational quality by shifting focus from traditional content delivery to outcome-driven, learner-centred approaches. The study employs a mixed methods design incorporating document analysis, nationwide surveys, and focus group discussions with academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and accreditation panels. 

The findings affirm that OBE has significantly improved the structure, delivery, and relevance of engineering programmes in Malaysia. Evidence suggests that OBE has enhanced graduate competencies, curriculum alignment with industry needs, and international benchmarking, while fostering greater accountability and continuous quality improvement (CQI). Institutional maturity in OBE implementation is reflected in the increasing number of programmes achieving longer accreditation durations, particularly those with interim evaluations. 

Despite these gains, challenges persist. Stakeholders highlighted limitations such as insufficient digital infrastructure, variability in assessment practices, gaps in stakeholder engagement, and administrative burdens. Certain Programme Outcomes (POs) especially those related to project management, problem solving, and sustainability remain difficult to attain due to curriculum rigidity, resource constraints, and limited industry exposure. Survey results and qualitative insights indicate that academic and industry perceptions are not fully aligned, underscoring the need for deeper collaboration. 

The report identifies key areas for strengthening, including industry integrated learning, competency-based assessments, enhanced faculty training, and systematic curriculum updates. Recommendations focus on reinforcing stakeholder engagement, embedding digital tools for assessment, fostering soft skills, and increasing the use of professional certifications. 

Overall, the report concludes that OBE has catalysed meaningful transformation in Malaysia’s engineering education landscape. Continued success will depend on strategic collaboration among institutions, industry, and regulators to sustain quality, relevance, and global competitiveness in an evolving technological and industrial environment. 

CHAIR

WORKING GROUP (WG) 

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME)