Illinois Tech Recognized as Global 3DX Education Center of Excellence
On May 11 Illinois Institute of Technology was recognized as one of Dassault Systèmes’s nine Global 3DX Education Centers of Excellence, the third university to achieve this distinction in the United States.
“This designation as one of the first 3DX education centers of excellence in the world provides our students with critical exposure to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, ensuring hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools, thereby making them job-ready in some of the world's most in-demand and technologically advanced industries,” says Raj Echambadi, president of Illinois Tech.
The Illinois Tech Digital Medical Engineering and Technology (IDMET) Research and Education Center, led by Director Natacha DePaola, has been a Dassault Systèmes partner since 2020, bringing industry-standard digital tools and internship opportunities to Illinois Tech students.
“Great teamwork is fueling the strategic partnership. We are very excited to bring this global recognition to Illinois Tech,” says DePaola.
Reflecting on this achievement, Illinois Tech Provost Kenneth T. Christensen stated: “This acknowledgment is not only a testament to our continuous efforts to stay ahead in technological advancements, but it also embodies our dedication to fostering a conducive environment where students can engage with high-end technology, thus preparing them for a future that is increasingly driven by digital innovation.”
Kevin Cassel, acting dean of Armour College of Engineering at Illinois Tech, added, "Our collaboration with Dassault Systèmes is transforming the way our students learn and apply engineering principles. This recognition as an Education Center of Excellence not only puts us on the global map but also fuels our drive to make our educational programs the gold standard in tech-enabled learning."
IDMET hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official opening of an associated demonstration and training site at the Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship to support student projects through the use of digital tools.
On the same day, IDMET launched Advanced Digital Tools (ADT) on Elevate, a new program to introduce and support students on the modeling and simulation tools available on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Learners from various disciplines and at all levels of expertise will have the opportunity to build workforce-ready proficiency through guided and self-learning lessons.
Future aerospace engineers will be able to simulate airflow over a new wing design, biomedical engineers will be able to model their prototype for advanced prosthetics, and this technology even allows future urban planners to create a digital twin to reshape the way we all live, work, and explore.
ADT on Elevate is part of Illinois Tech’s broader Elevate program, which guarantees that students take part in hands-on experiences, receive personalized mentorship, and receive a customized plan to become career ready.
“Experiential learning pedagogy has been embedded at Illinois Tech for many years,” says Mallik Sundharam, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at Illinois Tech. “We are proud of the forward-looking infrastructure we are building in partnership with Dassault Systèmes as part of our Elevate program, and we are excited about expanding this collaboration.”
“The recognition as an Education Center of Excellence provides not only access to a global education network, but it also allows Illinois Tech to increase awareness about its initiatives through the Dassault Systèmes channels, including the rich ecosystem of partners and customers that we have,” says Jean-Philippe Laguerre, director of education North America at Dassault Systèmes.
Photo (from left): Lead Academic Advisor and Ambassador for North America at Prepare Tomorrow Today Florent Salako, Vice President for Data Analytics at Illinois Tech Michael Gosz, Director of Education North America at Dassault Systèmes Jean-Philippe Laguerre, IDMET Director and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Illinois Tech Natacha DePaola
