VIII. Annual Conference of the Autodesk Academia Forum in the Czech and Slovak Republic: Investments in Education Protect Against Financial Crisis

Autodesk, a global leader in design software, announces that the VIIIth annual Autodesk Academia Forum for the Czech and Slovak Republics took place on November 20-21, 2008. The conference, which was held in Prague at the Masaryk College Congress Hall, was attended by 130 teachers from secondary and higher education institutions, scientific-research and development workers, including instructors of vocational education in both the public and commercial sectors, as well as students.
Among the topics of this 8th edition were, among others: Autodesk's European strategy in education, programs and projects for technical education, development of Framework Educational Programs, School Educational Programs, innovation of study programs, current status and strategies in the teaching of digital technologies, etc. The topics touched on various sectors including engineering, construction, architecture, electrical engineering, infrastructure, GIS, multimedia, and entertainment. Issues of licensing policy, student and educator portals in the Autodesk Academia Program, and opportunities within the Autodesk Community were also addressed.
“The Autodesk Academia Program is a great and essentially unique opportunity for teachers and students to remain competitive in lifelong learning in the field of digital technologies, for learning about new product versions, comprehensive solutions for engineering, construction, architecture, infrastructure, GIS, multimedia, and gaming,” said Vlastimil Bejček from the Brno University of Technology, Institute of Lifelong Learning, and a member of the Autodesk Academia Program committee. Participants had the opportunity to establish personal contacts and relationships with key partners in the regions of the Czech and Slovak Republics, and they could formulate feedback on both software products and the organization of educational activities, technical support, training, etc.
“According to a recent report from the OECD, investments in technical education are closely linked to the future competitiveness of national economies,” said David Palas, Country Sales Manager for Autodesk in Central and Southeastern Europe. “Especially in times of economic turbulence, it is high-tech segments with high added value that weaken the negative influences of the financial crisis. Therefore, we are very pleased that through the Autodesk Academia Program, we can contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the Czech Republic.”
This year's Autodesk Academia Forum 2008 was held under the auspices of the Rector of the Brno University of Technology, Prof. Ing. Karel Raise, CSc., MBA, and the Rector of Czech Technical University in Prague, Prof. Ing. Václav Havlíček, CSc.
More information about the conference can be found at autodesk.c-agency.cz/aaf2008. Information about the event organizers, Computer agency o.p.s and the Institute of Lifelong Learning, can be found at www.c-agency.cz and http://www.lli.vutbr.cz.

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About Autodesk
Autodesk is a global leader in 2D and 3D design software for manufacturing, construction, media, and entertainment. Since the launch of AutoCAD in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of cutting-edge digital prototyping solutions that help customers practically test ideas before they are realized. Fortune 1000 companies use Autodesk tools to visualize, simulate, and analyze the real-world performance of their designs early in the development process, helping them save time and money, improve quality, and foster innovation. More information about Autodesk can be found at www.autodesk.com or www.autodesk.cz.

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