The Algerian Ministry of Education Selects Dassault Systèmes’ SolidWorks Education Edition to Support Education Reform

55,000 Licenses Purchased to Train Next Generation of Engineers and Designers

VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France — August 28, 2013 — Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced that the Algerian Ministry of Education has signed an agreement to deploy SolidWorks’ Education Edition software application in technical classes across all of its 550 high schools.

The Ministry has been involved in a series of reforms to help align the education system with international norms and increase the effectiveness of foundation courses, particularly in science and math.  As such, it was important to find a 3D design application that provides students with the same tools used by engineers and designers around the world. The Ministry will deploy 100 licenses of the SolidWorks application in each of its 550 schools and provide remote laptop access to the software for every student.

In order to develop role models, teachers are encouraged to become Certified SolidWorks Professionals (CSWP), recognition that they are able to successfully use the features within the SolidWorks application. All schools will also become certified administrators of the Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) and Certified Sustainable Design Associate (CSDA) exams for students. These certification tests enable students to demonstrate strong design skills, giving them a competitive advantage in the engineering industry. Students will also be able to take advantage of a Student Engineering Kit (SEK) license, which they can use on their personal computers in order to improve their knowledge and develop their creativity.

Dassault Systèmes' value added reseller, ALCADWorks, worked closely with the Algerian Ministry of Education to provide a solution to support its commitment to the “Knowledge-Based Economy,” which invests in the skills of the next generation of engineers and designers, starting in elementary schools and continuing through university education.

Bilel Hassaïd, Founder and Manager of ALCADWorks, commented, "This national-scale project undertaken by the Algerian Ministry of Education will help improve students' ability to compete in an international, knowledge-based economy. The user-friendliness of the SolidWorks Education Edition and the certifications available will enable both students and teachers to quickly become proficient with SolidWorks, providing a source of innovation and creativity for these future engineers."

“The educational ecosystem is a crucial component in the evolution of product design and innovation and we are proud to support the Algerian Ministry of Education’s commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Bertrand Sicot, CEO, SolidWorks, Dassault Systèmes. “The deployment will have a positive impact on the performance and innovation in both the Algerian and global industrial sectors, as these students become highly trained, skilled engineers and designers capable of working anywhere.”

Powered by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, SolidWorks Education Edition is currently available through local resellers. For more information: http://www.solidworks.com/sw/products/education_products.htm