YOUNGSTOWN STATE Engineering school gets software grant

Students can obtain free copies of Solid Edge to use at home.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University's Rayen College of Engineering and Technology has received a grant of Solid Edge mechanical design software from UGS PLM Solutions, the product life cycle subsidiary of EDS.
The 3D CAD software, with a commercial value of $1 million, will be installed in all student computer labs in the engineering college as well as on the computers of faculty members. The grant also allows the university to provide students with individual copies of Solid Edge, free of charge, so they can work at home.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for our students to gain experience with the same cutting-edge software being used by thousands of companies in industry today," said Dr. Dan Suchora, professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at YSU. "This is the software that is used at many local and international companies where our students will seek employment. It's also used at many engineering schools. ... It's world class."
The software grant is being provided through the UGS PLM Solutions Global Strategic Partnerships program, which serves more than 7,250 partners globally. The mission of the program is to improve the technical stature of schools and their ability to develop top-notch engineering, manufacturing and technology students. Through the program, more than 761,000 students are trained annually at academic levels ranging from middle schools to graduate engineering research programs.