The Norwegian Education System Purchases Up to 30,000 Licenses of SolidWorks Software to Bolster Country's Manufacturing Industry

RENATE, a national center in Norway founded by The Ministry ofEducation and Research, has purchased up to 30,000 licenses ofSolidWorks(R) Education Edition software to teach more than 60,000junior high school and high school students engineering fundamentalsand reinvigorate the country's manufacturing industry. Starting in thefall of 2006, a total of approximately 1,300 schools across Norwaywill begin to teach 3D CAD to students aged 14 to 18. The strong mathand science focus of the program will integrate lessons in 3Dmechanical design skills to help the students cultivate their interestin design and engineering as well as math and science careers at anearly age.

In close cooperation with industry, schools, colleges anduniversities, RENATE's mission is to strengthen mathematics, naturalsciences and technology education throughout the country. TheTechnology and Design program seeks to attract students to engineeringcareers and grow Norway's skilled engineering profession, which hassuffered in the past decade from a decreasing interest at theuniversity level. "The number of students that have abandonedbachelor's degrees in engineering has increased in the past 10 yearsbecause students have complained about the curriculum being dull,"said RENATE Center Director Odd Lauritzen. "SolidWorks' ease of useand learning will help students begin exploring engineering creativityat an early age, so the seeds will be planted for successful collegeprograms and productive careers."

After evaluating several CAD packages, RENATE chose SolidWorksbecause its short learning curve allows high school students toquickly understand product design principles so they can begin honingtheir 3D skills in just a few days. "Rather than being frustrated bytrying to learn difficult software, they'll be quickly rewarded withbeautiful 3D models that they can visualize, modify, and perfect,"said Lauritzen.

RENATE also chose SolidWorks because it is the preferred designtool in many manufacturing facilities throughout Norway and the Nordicregion. Students with SolidWorks experience will have a valuableadvantage when looking for jobs.

This fall, RENATE will begin a staff development program forteachers at each of the participating schools on how to use and teachSolidWorks. The software will be incorporated in the schools'curricula the following year.

"The Technology and Design program is a far-reaching initiativewith a bold mission of revitalizing Norway's manufacturing industry,"said SolidWorks Corporation Executive Vice President for Europe MichelGros. "We applaud the decision to take this proactive step to realignits science, math, engineering, and technology disciplines at thesecondary school level. The SolidWorks Education Edition engagesstudents' interest in engineering, and provides a real-world steppingstone to mastering skills that they'll use professionally. Thiscommitment to modern teaching and learning will have an enduringimpact on Norway's economic future."

RENATE relies on authorized SolidWorks reseller PRONOR for ongoingsoftware training, implementation, and support.

About RENATE

RENATE, the National Center for Contact with Working Life for thePromotion of the Natural Sciences and Technology (in Norway), works inclose cooperation with industry, schools, colleges, and universitiesto strengthen the position of mathematics, the natural sciences, andtechnology in society. The Center's mission is also to promote thepercentage of females working in the natural sciences and technologyor studying these subjects. An important goal for The Center is toinsure that technology (Technology and Design) including use of 3D,will have a proper place in the Norwegian school system in the yearsto come. For more information visit the Web site atwww.renatesenteret.no.

About PRONOR

ProNor, a leading CAD/CAM supplier in Norway, has been aSolidWorks VAR since 1996. ProNor has delivered more than 3,000 seatsof SolidWorks, and has offices in Jessheim (just north of Oslo),Stavanger, Trondheim, Raufoss and Alesund. For more information, visitthe company's Web site at www.pronor.com.

About SolidWorks Corporation

SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY,Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets softwarefor mechanical design, analysis, and product data management. It isthe #1 supplier of 3D mechanical design software for the mainstreammarket. SolidWorks leads the market in number of users in production,customer satisfaction, and revenue. For the latest news, information,or a live online demonstration, visit the company's Web site(www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America,call +1-978-371-5000).

SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation.Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respectiveowners. Copyright (c) 2005 SolidWorks Corporation.