Anna University to Create PLM Center of Excellence with In-Kind Software Grant from Siemens PLM Software

Industry Leader Partners with One of India’s Leading Universities to Invest in Future Engineers

PLANO, Texas and CHENNAI, India - Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division and a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced an in-kind software grant with a commercial value of US$23 million to Anna University in Chennai, India.

Anna University will utilize Siemens PLM Software’s industry-leading technology to establish a PLM Center of Excellence that will bring state of the art technical education in the field of PLM to students in the state of Tamil Nadu. Anna University will incorporate PLM and computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) tools into the curricula to help students develop a wide range of skills in digital product development, digital lifecycle management and digital manufacturing. The grant is provided through Siemens PLM Software’s GO PLM™ (Global Opportunities in Product Lifecycle Management) program.

"Anna University has committed itself to be at the forefront in the service of the nation by achieving excellence in engineering education, fostering co-operation and collaboration between academia and industry across the country," said Dr. D. Viswanathan, vice chancellor, Anna University. "We have been committed to providing our students with the most current, technologically relevant education to ensure that they have the skills demanded by industry. We chose to partner with Siemens PLM Software because of their leadership position in the PLM industry worldwide and their commitment to work jointly with us in achieving our vision."

"India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world and very important to our company," said Hans-Kurt Lübberstedt, senior vice president and managing director, Asia Pacific, Siemens PLM Software. "Siemens PLM Software is committed to fostering engineering talent in India by providing the tools to enhance skill sets to meet industry needs. We are proud to partner with Anna University, to provide students training on the same software tools that are used by leading manufacturing companies worldwide."

"Siemens PLM Software is proud to be associated with Anna University and looks forward to providing future designers and engineers our industry leading PLM technology," said Narendar Reddy, managing director, India, Siemens PLM Software. "Today’s leading manufacturers compete on the basis of time to market, product cost, quality and innovation. We are glad that the students will have the opportunity to gain experience with technology that supports these objectives."

GO PLM Program

Siemens PLM Software’s GO PLM™ initiative leads the industry in the commercial value of the in-kind grants it provides and brings together four complementary community involvement programs focused on academic partnership, regional productivity, youth and displaced worker development and the PACE (Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education) program. GO PLM provides PLM technology to more than 950,000 students yearly at nearly 9,300 global institutions, where it is used at every academic level – from middle schools to graduate engineering research programs. For more information on GO PLM and the partners and programs it supports visit www.siemens.com/partners/goplm.

About Anna University

Anna University was established on 4th September 1978 as a unitary type of University. It offers higher education in Engineering, Technology and allied Sciences relevant to the current and projected needs of the society. Besides promoting research and disseminating knowledge gained there from, it fosters cooperation between the academic and industrial communities. Since December 2001, it has become a large, highly renowned affiliated University, having brought into its fold all the Engineering Colleges located in various parts of Tamilnadu State. Since February 2007, Anna University Chennai affiliates all the Engineering Colleges from 6 districts in and around Chennai.

About Siemens PLM Software

Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division, is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with 5.5 million licensed seats and 51,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Siemens PLM Software’s open enterprise solutions enable a world where organizations and their partners collaborate through Global Innovation Networks to deliver world-class products and services. For more information on Siemens PLM Software products and services, visit www.siemens.com/plm.

About Siemens Industry Automation Division

The Siemens Industry Automation Division (Nuremberg), a division of the Siemens Industry Sector, is a worldwide leader in the fields of automation systems, low-voltage switchgear and industrial software. Its portfolio ranges from standard products for the manufacturing and process industry to solutions for whole industries and systems that encompass the automation of entire automobile production facilities and chemical plants. As a leading software supplier, Industry Automation optimizes the entire value added chain of manufacturers – from product design and development to production, sales and a wide range of maintenance services.