EDS today announced it will help expand technology education programs at the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) with an in-kind gift of product lifecycle management (PLM) software to the University’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). The commercial value of the grant is approximately $53.5 million, making it the largest gift in UB history.

In a press conference today, UB president William R. Greiner announced that the grant also pushes UB’s fundraising campaign “The Campaign for UB: Generation to Generation” over its goal of $250 million.

“We are tremendously grateful to EDS for their extraordinary leadership in providing this historic and groundbreaking gift to UB – a gift that is both visionary in both scope and content,” Greiner noted.

“This revolutionary software is a major advancement for UB and for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, ensuring that SEAS remains at the cutting edge of engineering education and professional preparation,” he added. Since this technology is utilized by industry leaders, our engineering students not only will become fluent in industry standards, but literally will have the future of engineering at their fingertips.”

The comprehensive suite of software solutions will allow students to gain practical real-world experience with PLM technologies, including Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), Computer Aided engineering (CAE), visualization, digital manufacturing and engineering process management. Using these tools, students will be able to create parts and assembly models, simulate the operation of mechanisms and machinery, and quantitatively evaluate the performance of virtual product designs, simulating the processes used by major manufacturing companies to bring high quality products to market faster.

SEAS Dean Mark H. Karwan said the software will help the school continue to attract top-notch students and prepare them for career success. This gives our students the ability to master the world’s most cutting-edge design software, used by entire major-industry sectors,” Karwan said. It enhances our reputation as a leading source of engineering talent.”

“Today’s leading companies compete on the basis of quality, time to market, product cost, innovative value, flexible processes and product variation,” said Hulas King, director of Global Strategic Partnerships for EDS PLM Solutions. “Students must have the opportunity to gain experience with the technology that supports these objectives in order to find employment with these companies. EDS has worked with UB in other areas to prepare students for success in the digital

economy. We are pleased to now team up with the strong academic leaders and talented students in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences to support the school’s vision of innovation and education leadership.”

The grant to UB is being made through the EDS PLM Solutions Strategic Global Partnerships program. This program is the most comprehensive of its kind, serving over 6,200 institutions globally. The mission of the academic segment of the program is to improve the technical stature of schools and their ability to develop top-notch engineering, manufacturing and technology students who will add value to their communities and employers. Through the program more than 600,000 students are trained yearly at academic levels ranging from middle schools to graduate engineering research programs.

About University at Buffalo
For more information on UB visit http://www.buffalo.edu/

About EDS
EDS, the world’s largest independent information technology services company, provides strategy, implementation, business transformation and operational solutions for clients managing the business and technology complexities of the digital economy. EDS brings together the world’s best technologies to address critical client business imperatives. It helps clients eliminate boundaries, collaborate in new ways, establish their customers’ trust and continuously seek improvement. EDS, with its management-consulting subsidiary, A.T. Kearney, serves the world’s leading companies and governments in 60 countries. EDS reported revenues of $21.5 billion in 2002. The company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EDS) and the London Stock Exchange. Learn more at eds.com.