Khalifa University and Dassault Systemes form partnership to develop education and research activities at KUSTAR

5 Years Plan to Establish World Class Curricula in Digitized Product Innovation Through Multi-Facet Global Collaboration.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) and Dassault Systèmes announced today their partnership to develop cutting edge education and research activities at KUSTAR, using Dassault Systèmes PLM and 3D software for product innovation.

Going far beyond a simple software acquisition, the program includes various integrated content ranging from course material, continuing education of faculty, industry relationship, certification, student study tours, outreach projects and world class lectures and conferences provided by Dassault Systèmes global customers and partners in industry and academia.

Both partners also extended their alliance with the creation of a new research laboratory dedicated to innovation in the visual practices of engineering decision making, based at KUSTAR's campus in Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on the Program, “Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, KUSTAR Interim President, said: "Developing a local product innovation sector will be key to helping the UAE build a dynamic and sustainable engineering industry, both on the regional and global stage. This partnership will help us to develop a body of local knowledge that will build credibility and create exciting long-term opportunities in technical careers for a new generation of students in the UAE."

“KUSTAR’s program is both robust and innovative. It takes advantage of most of the many components that we built with our global academic partners and it combines them in a logical manner, into an ambitious plan. It has all the characteristics of a competitive PLM curriculum” said Xavier Fouger, director Global Learning and PLM Academy, Dassault Systèmes.

Mr. Philippe Forestier, executive vice-president Global Affairs and Communities, Dassault Systèmes, commented: “We are delighted to be part of this world class partnership which is the bright illustration of a fruitful long term relationship between the Dassault group and leading institutions in the Emirates”.

The program will start before the end of 2009.