Africa’s First Product Lifecycle Management Competency Center (PLMCC) Brings 3D Industry Experience to University, Boosts Education in Digital Innovation.

PARIS & CAPE TOWN, South Africa — (BUSINESS WIRE) — March 26, 2012 — Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), a world leader in 3D design, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Cape Town, South Africa and the French Ministry for Higher Education and Research, inaugurated an Innovation Centre for PLM Education on CPUT's campus in Bellville.

The Centre will focus on various application domains of PLM and specifically develop new educational methods adapted to the strong competency expectations of the globalized industries and R&D institutions in South Africa, particularly within the automotive and aerospace industries. This platform will enable the reform of engineering curricula and act as an integrating agent for multidisciplinary R&D. It will also provide a networking capability for integrated learning projects conducted between geographically dispersed teams.

The activities of the Centre will involve hundreds of students and educators at CPUT, and will link strongly into industrial, community-based and rural development initiatives, both from the private and public sectors. Most significantly, the Centre will be in a position to play an active role in strategic national efforts, such as large infrastructure projects in the energy and transport sectors and space science projects, including satellite technology and astronomy infrastructure.

The French Ministry of Education is assigning a full-time professor to design training programmes for the Centre. The full suite of Dassault Systèmes’ latest Version 6 softwares for 3D Experience, CATIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA and DELMIA, as well as the 3DVIA development platform for lifelike applications, will complement CPTU-developed modeling and simulation capabilities which support South African industry.

“Large national and international companies across South Africa use Dassault Systèmes PLM softwares and expect a continuous flow of highly employable new graduates to sustain their competitiveness,” said Dr. Mahomed Nawaz, Dean of Engineering, CPUT. “Students in mechanical, mechatronic and electrical engineering now need to manage software ranging from mechanical design to 3D representation of integrated systems. The global integration of the Dassault Systèmes platform fulfills this need perfectly. The cooperation with Dassault Systèmes and the French Ministry of Education will create a model for innovative advanced software instruction, and contribute to the promotion of innovation and sustainable development in South Africa.”

“Global industry is evolving from a ‘good product’ perspective to a longer, broader strategic perspective of delivering end-users a good ‘experience.’ Academic institutions with foresight, such as CPUT, realize this and address this perspective in their curriculum. As part of a global network of PLMCCs advancing digital innovation in engineering education, the Centre will play a core role in developing the talent global industry is seeking through a national network of PLM centers,” said Xavier Fouger, Senior Director, Academic Programs, Dassault Systèmes. “Its design is based on a cooperative model successfully established in Brazil, India, China and Mexico to accelerate the development of world class education.”

For more information about Dassault Systèmes’ initiatives in global education innovation, visit the Worldwide Academic Website at www.academy.3ds.com

About DREIC

The European and international affairs direction (DREIC) of the French Ministries in charge of education, higher education and research coordinates and organises the development of exchanges and cooperation between foreign and French educational systems, including those based on “academic/industry” cooperation. Following the agreement established between Dassault systèmes and the DREIC and the training centres set up in India, Brazil and Mexico, this collaboration has been extended to South Africa with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology where the French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) is already situated.

About CPUT

CPUT is one of the largest universities in South Africa, and the only technical university amongst the four universities based in the well-known and attractive Western Cape region of the country. The Faculty of Engineering covers a broad range of engineering areas with about 8000 students across its 8 departments. Through a range of multi-disciplinary research institutes and centres, the Faculty integrates its education and research programmes into a cohesive system, providing students with modern technology platforms for relevant and industry-responsive education, with a high degree of work-integrated learning. These platforms now include the Product Life Cycle Management Competency Centre, providing state-of-the-art education in product design through to simulation and life-cycle management. Through this approach, the Faculty aims to emerge as a major driver of socio-economic change in the region.

About Dassault Systèmes

Dassault Systèmes, the 3D Experience Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world-leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systèmes’ collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 150,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 80 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com