NewsBreak

Autodesk Plans Education Centers in Emerging Economies

'Centers of excellence' planned in China, India, Russia

"An increasingly competitive world demands the talents of the world's best and brightest, Autodesk is more dedicated than ever to inspiring and preparing the next generation of designers," said Paul Mailhot, senior director, Worldwide Education Program, Autodesk. "In order to compete in tomorrow's global workplace, today's students must be fluent in the technologies used by professionals in the real world, and be able to collaborate effectively across disciplines, time zones, and cultures."

With design emerging as a competitive advantage, designers today are required to drive innovation, work in global teams, and work in a multi-disciplinary fashion. To help design students address these expectations, Autodesk has established long-term partnerships with the world's leading education institutions to found more than 14 COEs worldwide in emerging countries such as India, China, and Russia. These COEs provide faculty and students with digital design tools, multi-disciplinary and project-based curriculum, and state-of-the-art facilities necessary to explore and thrive with new design challenges. Institutions that house COEs are national leaders in their fields that are having a direct impact on education, government, and industry.

Each Center of Excellence is customized to meet the needs of the students and customers in that region. This customization is possible because of Autodesk's depth and breadth of industry solutions and expertise, and the multi-faceted support that Autodesk provides through funding, state-of-the-art software, research, and consulting.

Relationships with other leading educational institutions have been established in countries such as Russia, Brazil and Korea to open additional training facilities and COEs. Autodesk has also partnered with non-profit organizations to provide funding, software and resources to educate and inspire students through project-based instruction and exciting, real-world engineering challenges. Autodesk has made great strides in providing middle- and high-school students with a foundation for academic and professional success. These efforts include:

WorldSkills International Sponsorship

• More than 800 students from around the world competed in WorldSkills International 2007 in Japan last November, where Autodesk served as a global sponsor and the exclusive computer-aided design (CAD) software partner for the 2007 competition;
• The collaboration with WorldSkills International (WSI) will help to achieve higher standards and status for career and technical education and training;
• Over 800 competitors, experts and observers from 48 countries came together to witness talented youth compete for the top position in 49 different skills ranging from polymechanics, mechanical engineering, stone masonry, bakery and hair styling;
• Autodesk is now preparing for bi-annual competitions in Calgary in 2009, and in London in 2011.

Certification

• The Autodesk academic certification program enables students to earn a credential in recognition of their knowledge of specific Autodesk software applications.
• The credential that students earn is the same credential that design professionals earn, but it is offered at an affordable academic price.

Expanded Support of Robotics

• 2008 marks the 17th consecutive year that Autodesk has sponsored the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), with more than $17 million in funding, software and resources; 2008 also marks the second year that Autodesk is sponsoring the FIRST Tech Challenge
• Autodesk's FIRSTbase Website, a comprehensive resource Autodesk launched for students and mentors in the robotics challenge, is used by more than 80% of FRC teams;
• Expanded partnership with Innovation First, Inc. resulted in the launch of www.RobotEvents.com, a Web portal that helps connect students and educators with engaging robotics pre-engineering programs such as BEST Robotics Competition, Botball Education Robotics Program, FIRST and others.

Project Lead the Way

• Autodesk increased its support for long-time partner Project Lead the Way (PLTW). -- 200,000 U.S. middle- and high-school students will use Autodesk software to complete project-based coursework in the 2007-2008 school year.

Student Community Gains Momentum

• Student and educator registrations on the Autodesk Student Engineering & Design Community have risen to more than 225,000, representing more than 375,000 Autodesk design software downloads from almost 12,000 schools in 129 countries;
• Student members get free access to Autodesk design software, step-by-step tutorials and job postings that give them a head-start on academic and professional success, and educators can download curriculum and share best practices in a faculty-only discussion forum.

Student Design Challenge

• Autodesk recently launched the "Build Something" Student Design Challenge to encourage students from around the world to showcase their skills in mechanical and industrial design, architecture, civil engineering and animation.
• The competition requires student members to demonstrate innovation in their chosen discipline, whether a student union building (architecture), a product redesign (industrial and mechanical engineering), a roadway (civil engineering), or the ultimate superhero (3D and Animation). There is also a bonus award for best sustainable design.
• A panel of Autodesk and industry experts from companies such as HOK, AlchemyLabs, Palumbo Motorcars, and Miller Legg will choose the winners in May.

Knowing that today's students face new challenges that didn't exist 30 years ago, Autodesk is committed to supporting educators in preparing students to anticipate the world they will face and equip them with the knowledge, tools, and working skills necessary to address the challenges and opportunities of the next 30 years. Autodesk will continue to expand its support of existing and new programs and partnerships to ensure a bright future for the next generation of engineering and design leaders.

About Autodesk Education

Autodesk is committed to supporting students and educators by providing powerful 2D and 3D design software, innovative programs and resources designed to inspire the next generation of professionals to experience their ideas before they're real. By supporting educators to advance design education and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills, Autodesk is helping prepare students develop for future academic and career success. Autodesk supports schools and institutions of higher learning worldwide through substantial discounts, subscriptions, grant programs, training, curricula development and community resources. For more information about Autodesk education programs and solutions, visit http://www.autodesk.com/education. 

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they're real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com/. 

--------

Related News

May 8 - Autodesk Carol Bartz to Present at Baird Stock Conference
May 7 - Autodesk Completes REALVIZ Acquisition
May 6 - Autodesk Launches File Search Web Service for AEC
May 5 - Autodesk's Senior VP, CFO Alfred Castino Plans to Resign
May 2 - Autodesk to Acquire Moldflow for $297M
Apr 17 - Autodesk Developer Network Supports 2009 2D, 3D Products
Apr 16 - Autodesk Ships BIM 2009 Portfolio
Apr 3 - Autodesk 2009 Manufacturing Portfolio Ship
Apr 1 - Autodesk's Carl Bass Wins CAD Society Leadership Award
Apr 1 - Autodesk Ships 3ds Max Design, 3ds Max 2009
Mar 26 - Autodesk Inducts 48 VARs into Platinum Club
Mar 25 - Autodesk Ships AutoCAD 2009 Portfolio
Mar 10 - Autodesk Honors 25 Year VARs
Feb 27 - Autodesk Q4 Revenue Up 20% to $599M with $96M Profit
Feb 26 - Norway's Ing Per Gjerdrum AS to Upgrade AutoCAD P&ID
Feb 26 - Autodesk to Present at Investor Conferences
Feb 25 - CRN Named Autodesk's Ken Bado as Channel Chief
Feb 19 - Autodesk Reduces Maya Pricing, Announces Extension 2
Feb 13 - Autodesk Unveils AutoCAD 2009
Feb 13 - Autodesk Plans Education Centers in Emerging Economies
Feb 13 - Autodesk to Buy Green Building Studio, Carmel Software
Jan 10 - Autodesk Opens Customer Briefing Center in Oregon
Jan 8 - Autodesk Completes China's Hanna Strategies Acquisition
Jan 4 - Autodesk Sr VP Jay Bhatt to Present at Needham Conference
Dec 20 - Autodesk Seeks Votes for 'Inventor of the Year'
Dec 17 - Autodesk Joins Primavera Partners for NavisWorks
Dec 13 - Autodesk Announces Freewheel Developer Contest
Dec 10 - Autodesk Appoints Betsey Nelson, Sean Maloney to Board
Dec 10 - Autodesk  May Repurchase Up To 20M Shares
Nov 30 - Autodesk CEO to Present at Lehman Brothers Conference
Nov 21 - Autodesk Carol Bartz to Present at Credit Suisse Conference
Nov 16 - Autodesk to Acquire Robobat for $42.5M
Nov 16 - Autodesk Q3 Revenue Up 18% to $538M with $85M Profit
Nov 16 - Autodesk Supports Easter Island for 3D Design
Nov 13 - Autodesk Topobase Electric for Utility Infrastructure
Nov 13 - Southern California Edison Picks Autodesk Utility Design
Nov 8 - Autodesk, USGBC to Expand Adoption of Sustainable Design
Nov 7 - Autodesk, AIA Announce Green Index Survey Results
Nov 1 - Autodesk Q3 Conference Call Nov 15, 2PM PT
Nov 1 - Autodesk to Acquire China's Hanna Strategies
Oct 29 - Autodesk Special Shareholder Meeting Nov 6 9AM PDT
Oct 25 - Autodesk to Show Sustainable Design at 2007 Greenbuild Expo
Oct 19 - Autodesk Announces U-Vis 360 Core Visualization Platform
Oct 11 - Autodesk Launches AutoCAD P&ID 2008 for Plant Design
Oct 11 - Harley Ellis Devereaux Adopts Autodesk Revit Platform
Oct 10 - Autodesk Sponsors Popular Mechanics 3rd Annual Awards
Oct 9 - Autodesk Announces Scottish Education, Training Center
Oct 4 - Autodesk Gets 'Rising Star 2007' Award from GTDC
Oct 2 - Autodesk Appoints Robel, West to Board of Directors
Oct 2 - Autodesk Joins UNEP, NWM to Host Sustainable Design Forum
Sep 28 - Autodesk CFO to Present at Jefferies Tech Conference
Sep 27 - Autodesk Offers Academic Certification Program for Schools
Sep 26 - Autodesk Names SolidCAD Americas Partner of the Quarter
Sep 26 - Autodesk to Contribute Coordinate System to GOS Community
Sep 25 - Autodesk Executives, Customers to Speak at NMW
Sep 21 - F1 Designer Firm Selects Autodesk Digital Prototyping
Sep 13 - Autodesk’s Andrew Miller to Attend ThinkEquity Conference
Sep 6 - AUGI to Launch 2 Day 'Design Academy' in UK
Aug 30 - Autodesk's Carol Bartz to Attend Citi Global Conference
Aug 27 - Autodesk Announces Preferred Industry Partner Program
Aug 20 - Autodesk Completes Opticore Acquisition
Aug 17 - Autodesk Q2 Revenues Up 17% to $526M With $92M Profit
Aug 10 - Autodesk Sponsors VisMasters 2007
Aug 9 - Autodesk Completes $26M NavisWorks Acquisition
Aug 07 - Autodesk Announces 3ds Max 2008
Aug 06 - Autodesk Offers AliasStudio 2008 PLE for Free
Aug 3 - Autodesk Senior VP to Present at Pacific Crest Tech Forum
Aug 1 - Autodesk Q2 Conference Call Aug 16 2PM PDT
Jul 2 - Autodesk Annual Shareholder Meeting Jul 6 10AM PDT
Jun 18 - Autodesk to Acquire Opticore Technology for 3D Visualization
Jun 12 - BOC Edwards Invests in Autodesk Productstream
Jun 11 - Armstrong White Picks Autodesk for Digital Creative Design
Jun 5 - DaimlerChrysler Uses Autodesk Consulting
Jun 5 - Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions Partner Program Expanding
Jun 5 - Autodesk Files '07 Statements After Stock Options Review
May 31 - Autodesk to Acquire NavisWorks for $25M Cash
May 24 - Revit, AutoCAD Architecture Get Full IFC 2x3 Certification
May 18 - Autodesk Reports Record Q1 Revenues of $509M
May 18 - Autodesk Inventor, Revit and Civil3D Users Total 1 Million
May 16 - Autodesk CFO to Present at JPMorgan Tech Conference
May 10 - Autodesk, Natural World Museum Promote Sustainable Design
May 4 - Autodesk Design Review 2008 Available with HP Designjet
May 4 - AutoCAD Architecture 2008 Users to Access ADS ADSearch
May 4 - Autodesk Brings AIA National Convention to Second Life
May 3 - Autodesk Launches Inventor LT
May 2 - Autodesk Updates Academic Software Portfolio
Apr 26 - Autodesk Reveals 'Design for Living' Survey Findings
Apr 26 - Autodesk Q1 FY08 Conference Call May 17, 2PM PDT
Apr 26 - Autodesk Annual Investor Meeting Updates Q1FY08 Guidance
Apr 23 - Autodesk Investor Day Webcast Apr 26 8:30AM EDT
Apr 20 - Autodesk #2 in Fortune’s ‘Most Admired Software Companies’
Apr 19 - Autodesk Gets 2 SIIA CODiE Awards
Apr 11 - Autodesk Receives Additional NASDAQ Notice
Apr10 - Autodesk Updates Design Review, Offers Freewheel Service
Apr 05 - Autodesk Sponsors FIRST Vex Student Contest
Mar 29 - Autodesk Recognizes Top-Selling Channel Partners
Mar 29 - Autodesk Surpasses 8 Million Licensed Users
Mar 6 - Autodesk Design Review 2008 Includes Access to GlobalSpec
Mar 5 - Renault Signs 3 Yr, Multimillion Dollar Contract for Alias, Maya
Mar 5 - Autodesk CFO to Present at Morgan Stanley Tech Conference
Feb 28 - Autodesk Q4 Revenue Up 19% to $497M, FY07 Up 21%
Feb 28 - Audit Committee Finishes Autodesk Stock Option Grant Review
Feb 23 - Autodesk CFO to Present at Goldman Sachs Tech Symposium
Feb 16 - Autodesk's Andrew Miller to Attend BofA Tech Conference
Feb 15 - Autodesk in CRO Mag's '100 Best Corporate Citizens' List
Feb 13 - V2008 of AutoCAD Architecture, MEP, Civil 3D Announced
Feb 13 - V2008 of AutoCAD, LT, Design Review, Impression Announced
Feb 13 - Autodesk Announces Updates to Manufacturing Solutions
Feb 13 - Autodesk Frames Global Vision for Design Software Industry
Feb 13 - Autodesk to Continue Investment in Education
Feb 12 - Autodesk's Andrew Miller to Attend Merrill Lynch Conference
Feb 8 - Autodesk Sponsors World Automotive Design Contest at CIAS
Feb 2 - Autodesk CFO to Present at Credit Suisse Tech Conference
Jan 29 - Autodesk Introduces P&ID 2007 for Plant Design
Jan 08 - Autodesk Sponsors Concept Car in Michelin Design Contest
Jan 08 - Autodesk's Andrew Miller to Present at Needham Conference
Buzzsaw News
Inventor
Revit News

Source: Material used in press releases is often supplied by external sources and used as is.