Professional Engineering

It looked like an act of unbridled largesse. Earlier this year Autodesk invited more than 100 of Europe’s brightest engineering students to a picturesque part of Germany for a few days of interactive learning. The students were equipped with laptops and the very latest versions of Autodesk’s software and were encouraged to show off their skills using modelling and simulation tools. The resultant expressions of dextrous competence showed just how comfortable the next generation of technology-savvy mechanical engineers are when it comes to operating in a digital environment.

But no company funds such an event out of sheer goodwill and generosity. Autodesk expected some sort of return on its investment and that it got in spades, with employees from its education department listening to the questions and needs of the students and using the dialogue as a means of guiding future software development. The students got to have a bit of fun with their peers, refining their design skills in a rewarding environment, while Autodesk ensured that innovation would remain at the heart of its new products.

The WoodStEx event highlighted the collaborative relationship that exists between the big software companies and the academic sector. Many of Autodesk’s products such as its Inventor 3D mechanical design software are available to students free or at discounted rates, and its online education community, comprising videos, tutorials and training guides, now has just under three million users worldwide. The company has grasped the fact that if it gets students comfortable with its software while they are at university, they are more likely to use it when they enter the world of work.

“We’ve always recognised that the academic base can be a driver of real product innovation in terms of software,” says Don Carlson, director of Autodesk’s education division for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “WoodStEx, in particular, was an excellent opportunity to create dialogue between students and industry experts and bridge the two worlds. Whilst listening to their questions and needs, we got to develop a way forward where we could tackle the challenges that come with innovation together.”

Autodesk’s relationship with universities is starting to evolve as the academic landscape is changed by factors such as rising tuition fees and greater mobility of students. In years gone by, there was no real need for universities to differentiate their engineering course content from what other places of learning were offering. That’s not the case now. Students are becoming demanding customers, and universities are working hard to meet those new expectations by forging links with organisations such as Autodesk.

“Universities are increasingly looking at the relevance of their programmes to make sure they meet the needs of today’s market,” says Carlson. “The Bologna declaration means there is now more consistency between universities across the European Union and further afield. That allows students to become more choosy about the university they select. 

“And then there are other factors such as tuition fees – students are increasingly saying ‘if I am paying this amount, I want to make sure I am getting value for my money’. So there is a willingness from academia to talk to companies such as Autodesk and other professional organisations – not just about things like discounted software, but about taking a more holistic view and forming real partnership arrangements.”

The most recent educational content delivered by Autodesk to students through its online educational resource addresses building strategies, materials selection and energy effectiveness. The Sustainability Workshop provides free content demonstrating how sustainability principles can be used to solve real-world environmental challenges. The resource includes videos, tutorials and case studies, enabling design, engineering and architecture students to learn how to put sustainable design concepts into practice.