Memorandum of Understanding Is Signed to Enhance Engineering Programs,
Drive Innovation
BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2009--
The People’s Republic of China Ministry of Education (MOE) and Autodesk,
Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) -- a world leader in 2D and 3D
design, engineering and entertainment software -- signed a
Memorandum of Understanding in Beijing, China, to support engineering
education and innovation. According to the MOU, both parties will seek
to improve standards of engineering education in China and promote the
next generation of design talent and innovation in China.
Cooperation between China’s MOE and Autodesk covers two major stages of
higher education and secondary vocational education across
manufacturing, construction and urban planning, geographic information
system and visual arts. Both parties will collaborate on the reform of
engineering education, innovation education and design education;
cultivation of innovative engineering talent and technical engineering
talent; and exchange of best practices in engineering education.
“We see this agreement as a significant step forward in furthering our
partnership with the Ministry of Education, focused on driving the
adoption of industry-leading design tools into engineering curricula
throughout China,” said Carl Bass, president and CEO of Autodesk. “The
joint effort between Autodesk and the Ministry of Education will focus
both on the training of faculty as well as encouraging widespread use of
the Autodesk
Inventor, Autodesk
3ds Max and Autodesk
Maya software by students. We believe the results of this
collaboration will serve to inspire groundbreaking design in areas such
as sustainable manufacturing among China’s next generation of engineers.”
Autodesk also announced plans to donate software worth US$50 million to
50 higher education institutions and secondary vocational schools
throughout China.
“Engineering is a powerful tool in promoting economic development and
social progressiveness, and also the key to achieving China’s goal of an
‘Innovation-Oriented State’,” said Chen Xi, deputy minister for
education. “Our higher and secondary vocational schools should keep
abreast of the times to absorb internationally recognized philosophies,
technologies and experience in the engineering field. This will
ultimately foster integration of industries, schools and research and
develop the field of engineering education, thereby producing and
delivering large cohorts of globally competitive engineering talent to
the industries.”
To date, Autodesk has jointly set up more than 10 Centers of Excellence
and design centers with several universities throughout China. Beyond
this, the MOE also supports the Autodesk Chinese Student Design
Community, which provides a platform for the teachers and students to
interact and learn. Overall, Autodesk has invested more than 520 million
yuan in China’s education sector, and received an honorary “Prominent
Contribution Award” by the Chinese MOE earlier this year.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a world leader in 2D and 3D
design, engineering and entertainment software for the
manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment
markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk
continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software
to help customers experience their ideas digitally before they are
built. Fortune 100 companies -- as well as the last 14 Academy Award
winners for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software
tools to design, visualize and simulate their ideas to save time and
money, enhance quality, and foster innovation for competitive advantage.
For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Inventor, Maya and 3ds Max are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its
subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries.
Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks
belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter
product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is
not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in
this document. © 2009 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
Source: Autodesk, Inc.
Autodesk, Inc.
Jeff Bliss, 415-547-2342
jeff.bliss@autodesk.com