AUTOMOTIVE

The ANSYS University Program is offered through southwest-based ANSYS Channel Partner Phoenix Analysis Design Technologies (PADT). The program has helped the university educate and familiarize mechanical engineering students with FEA while promoting the use of ANSYS software in the industry as recent grads enter the mechanical, aerospace and civil engineering workforces. The curriculum provides students with a practical and theoretical understanding of the FEA process and its fundamental role in the product development process. The ANSYS University Program makes available training materials, lectures from PADT's analysis staff and software technical support to the students. "As part of our historical commitment to furthering engineering education, we are always pleased to be associated with leading institutions," said Jim Cashman, president and CEO of ANSYS, Inc. "Engineering simulation is essential to the innovation of higher quality products and increasing the capabilities of the next generation of engineering graduates." The ANSYS University Program at UNM -- the first of its kind at a large university -- proves ANSYS' commitment to education worldwide. UNM's Hy Tran, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, added the FEA class to the required curriculum and shares the developed materials with PADT and ANSYS, Inc. Such cooperation speeds the evolution of the "university lecture/coursework package" that PADT and ANSYS, Inc. offer to other universities. "The ANSYS University Program and PADT help expose our mechanical engineering students to some of the most advanced FEA capabilities available," said Tran. "With this curriculum, we feel we are providing UNM students with an invaluable skill set -- a theoretical and working knowledge of FEA and ANSYS software for the workplace."