Diploma of Associate Engineering
In Pakistan, the Diploma of Associate Engineer or simply, DAE, is a three years post secondary program of instructions in various trades. It includes regular studies having classroom lectures, workshop assignments, labs experiments, industrial projects and industrial tours.
Diploma of Associate Engineer (DAE) awarded by the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh Boards of Technical Education is offered in various engineering disciplines such as electrical engineering, electronics engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering and petroleum engineering etc. A student can take admission in DAE after passing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) in science subjects or Technical School Certificate (TSC). Government of Pakistan recognizes the DAE as equivalent to Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC)/FSc (pre-engineering) for further study purpose.
This diploma was started in Pakistan in early 1950s.
After successful completion of Diploma of Associate Engineer (DAE) course, students can join either BE/BS/BSc Engineering or B.Tech degree programs or get employment as supervisors, foreman, technicians, sub-engineers, draftsman, overseers, chemical or gas plant operators, junior instructors or workshop superintendents etc.
There are hundreds of government and private institutes across the country which offer the DAE.
At federal level, National Vocational and Technical Training Commission, Islamabad is responsible government body for technical education.
In the Punjab, the Punjab Board of Technical Education, Lahore and Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority, Lahore are responsible government bodies for technical education.
In Sindh, Sindh Board of Technical Education, Karachi and Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) are responsible government bodies for technical education.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Technical Education, Peshawar and Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority, Peshawar is responsible government bodies for technical education.
In Balochistan, Balochistan Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority, Quetta is responsible government body for technical education.
In Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Azad Jammu & Kashmir Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority, Muzaffarabad is responsible government body for technical education.