Benchmarking Chemical Engineering Courses in Brazil

Purpose – The objective of this research was to analyze the Chemical Engineering course offered by the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) through benchmarking with other universities in Brazil, to improve it in the triennial evaluations.

Design/methodology/approach – This is an applied, quantitative, and qualitative research. To develop the benchmarking, comparison parameters were used, such as the Folha de São Paulo University Ranking (RUF), the National Student Performance Exam (ENADE) and the Times Higher Education (THE). A comparison was made between rankings, in addition to a survey of the general course data of UFBA and the selected Institutions. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the curricula was performed, and a survey was prepared and answered by 28 chemical engineering students. Finally, it was possible to suggest improvements for the course studied.

Findings – The Continuous ENADE Concept of the Chemical Engineering course of UFBA is 25% behind the course of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), 18% behind the course of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and 12% ahead of the course of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Furthermore, the UFBA course presents deficiencies regarding the course updating, including the offering of practical subjects, soft skills and a training of students as a social individual.

Research limitations/implications – There is a lack of visitation to benchmarks, an important step in the benchmarking process, which will be the objective of continuing the research.

Paper type: Case study

Benchmarking, Chemical Engineering, Quality, Brazil.