ACADEMIA

CONCORD, Mass. - Belgium's largest industrial design university, Kaho Sint-Lieven, is equipping its engineering students with the three-dimensional computer-aided design (3D CAD) skills they will need in their professional careers by incorporating SolidWorks(r) software into its curriculum, SolidWorks announced today. The university purchased 60 seats of SolidWorks, which it will use to teach students how to create solid models quickly and easily. SolidWorks' Windows-based environment is intuitive and easier to learn than competing 3D CAD technologies with more complex user interfaces. This allows students to spend less time learning to use the design software and more time developing their engineering skills. After only one day of training, Kaho Sint-Lieven students were able to start designing in SolidWorks. "It's far more important for our students to spend more of their time honing the skills that employers want than learning to use complicated software," said Benny De Man, an engineer at Kaho Sint-Lieven. "SolidWorks has the industrial design capabilities that manufacturers in Belgium require. By teaching SolidWorks, we're giving our students the keys to secure the kind of jobs they want." Rosanne Kramer, director of worldwide education markets for SolidWorks Corporation, said, "Kaho Sint-Lieven is giving its engineering students a real advantage by exposing them to 3D CAD technology during their academic careers. By mastering the technology now, they can concentrate on honing their design skills, making them well-prepared to enter the job market after graduation." Kaho Sint-Lieven is working with Cadmes, an authorized SolidWorks reseller and certified trainer for ongoing support.