Students, alumni, faculty, and staff of the School of Engineering, members of the UOG administration and the Board of Regents, and industry supporters gather for a photo during a press conference to announce the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program earning ABET accreditation for the maximum six-year term. (Photo courtesy of University of Guam)
The University of Guam’s Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program has earned six years of accreditation from ABET, formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. This the maximum accreditation term granted by ABET.
UOG President Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez said the accreditation was a major accomplishment for the university.
“This underscores our commitment to educate and train the professional engineers who will build our island’s future. Civil engineering students no longer need to leave Guam and Micronesia to complete their studies and earn their PE license,” she said. “ABET accreditation is a testament to the quality of education at our School of Engineering and to the hard work of the faculty and staff.”
With the four-year program now ABET-accredited, graduates can pursue professional engineering (PE) licensing credentials.
“Achieving a PE license is crucial because it validates your ability to call yourself a professional engineer and take responsibility for design work,” said Dr. Hiroshan Hettiarachchi, Dean of the School of Engineering. “The process includes passing two exams, but before you even get there, the key question asked by many states is: ‘Did your degree come from an ABET-accredited program?’ That’s why this accreditation is such an important milestone for our students and graduates.”
The Dean’s Office, faculty, staff, and students from the University of Guam School of Engineering gather for a photo to celebrate the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program earning ABET accreditation for the maximum six-year term. (Photo courtesy of University of Guam)
According to the ABET website, UOG is one of just 920 colleges and universities in the world with an ABET-accredited program.
The accreditation is the latest milestone for the School of Engineering (SENG). The school evolved from a pre-engineering program started in 1989 to fill the critical need for engineers in Guam and the Western Pacific. Students attended school at UOG for two years before moving to ABET-accredited schools to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
In 2016, the UOG Board of Regents established the School of Engineering and in 2019, formally approved a four-year Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program. The program has 32 graduates since 2021, and today, there are 225 students in the program.
Megan Catahay, a member of the program’s first graduating class in 2021, and now a civil design engineer with SSFM International said, “Being among the pioneers of a now accredited program is an honor, and I look forward to seeing future graduates build on the foundation we helped establish. The education and experience I gained were instrumental in shaping my career.”
Nicholas B. Nadeau, a current civil engineering student, added, “This historic moment for Guam means our students, our people, can now earn a degree from a globally recognized program without ever leaving home. By raising standards and reducing barriers, we are keeping the local talent local, prepared to take on the next big project.”
Chairperson of the UOG School of Engineering Advisory Council Kenneth Rekdahl said, “I would like to congratulate UOG and all those who worked day and night to achieve ABET Accreditation. The benefits of this will be felt on Guam and throughout our region for generations. Biba UOG!”
New Building in 2025
Students, faculty, and staff from SENG will have a new building featuring specialized labs, classrooms, meeting spaces, and offices outfitted with a wide array of cutting-edge engineering equipment to meet academic and research requirements. The $7.9 million, 16,000 square foot SENG building is currently under construction and slated to be completed in April 2025.
“This new building will truly transform the way we teach and conduct research in engineering,” said President Enriquez. “With state-of-the-art labs and equipment, our students and faculty will have the tools they need to be innovative and address real-world challenges. It’s an exciting step forward for the university and for the future of engineering in Guam and Micronesia.”
The $7.9 million, 16,000 square foot School of Engineering building is currently under construction and slated to be completed in April 2025. (Photo courtesy of University of Guam)
Career Pathways through Partnerships
UOG is preparing engineering students to fill important high-demand roles in the private sector, with local government, and with military employers.
“There has been overwhelming interest and support for UOG’s engineering program,” said Hettiarachchi. “I had all these phone calls — people asking for students, asking for interns, asking for graduates. The reaction from the community, from industries on the island, has been very supportive.”
UOG has partnered with military, private sector, and public sector organizations in providing workforce development and career pathways for engineering students and alumni.
An agreement with Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Marianas provides internships for engineering students.
University of Guam President Anita Borja Enriquez, center, signs the Memorandum of Understanding to formalize an internship pathway for UOG’s engineering students on Nov. 1, 2023. Capt. Troy Brown, Commanding Officer of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Marianas, left, signs for NAVFAC as Bharti Hemlani, Lead Human Resources Specialist and acting HR Director at NAVFAC Marianas, facilitates. (Photo courtesy of University of Guam)
Under a workforce development program called “2+2,” students who completed the first two years of their engineering education at UOG can apply to UH Mānoa, carrying over their credits with them. There they can major in mechanical engineering, and upon graduation, they can apply for jobs with the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Hawaii and subsequently with the Shipyard’s future detachment in Guam.
Other agreements which include Cabras Marine Corporation, Guam Power Authority, and Guam Waterworks Authority will also provide internship to career opportunities for UOG students.
Long-time supporters of the program include the Society for American Military engineers (S.A.M.E.) Guam Post which has contributed thousands of dollars in scholarships to UOG civil engineering students, investing in home-grown talent.
“The strong interest and support from our industry partners show the real-world demand for UOG’s engineering students,” said Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, UOG President. “Through partnerships with these organizations, we’re ensuring that our students are gaining valuable experience and are positioned for success while providing our partners with a potential future professional workforce.”
A Future-Ready Program With ABET accreditation now secured and partnerships growing stronger, UOG’s School of Engineering is on a trajectory to not only meet the demand for engineers on Guam but to produce graduates who are globally competitive.
The new building slated for 2025 will be a hub for innovation, further expanding opportunities for research, hands-on learning, and exploring possibilities to pursue electrical and mechanical engineering programs.
“Our program’s evolution from its early days to now being fully accredited is a milestone for the university and the region,” added President Enriquez. “By providing top-tier education, fostering partnerships, and offering clear career pathways, we’re ensuring that our students are prepared to lead and contribute meaningfully to the development of Guam, Micronesia, and beyond.”
“The School of Engineering’s ABET accreditation is more than just an institutional achievement — it’s a gateway to success for students, industries, and the island as a whole.”
