Students from Europe’s top technical universities talk innovation with Autodesk

Bringing together more than 100 talented students from  36 schools in Europe the first Autodesk European Technical Camp for Higher Education Student Experts, (WoodStEx 2011, in Herrsching am Ammersee, Germany, 26-28 March 2011) proved to be a great success.

Autodesk Student Experts (StEx) combine excellence in academic studies and technical skills, with a passion for technology and high-quality soft skills. By engaging with them, Autodesk supports them on their path to professional growth with specialised training programmes. The knowledge and skills that the students attain as a result also allows them to become a referral point for other students and their faculties on high level use of the most innovative technology.

As such, WoodStEx 2011 was an opportunity for them to:

• attend over  20 technical training sessions on the latest technologies;
• debate/share ideas and best practices;
• network with peers from  36 other higher education institutions in Europe;
• meet with Autodesk experts and executives;
• attend 6 keynote VIP presentations from Autodesk and its customers;
• gain an insight into the company’s future vision and technology trends; 
• listen to the needs of industries, innovative companies and organizations and connect with them.

Joe Astroth, Autodesk’s Chief Education Officer said: “Autodesk is committed to helping develop today’s students to address the challenges of tomorrow’s world. At this exciting new event, we are empowering students to pursue dynamic careers in design by educating them about design software used in industry. At the same time, we are giving them the opportunity to try out for themselves the tools and resources to help make their work exciting, stimulating and rewarding both at university and in their future careers.”

Joining him, Don Carlson, Director – EMEA Education declared that: “WoodStEx is an excellent opportunity to create dialogue between students and industry experts and bridge the two worlds. Whilst listening to their questions and needs, we are developing a way forward where we can tackle the challenges that come with innovation together.”

Student expert Phillip Mueller from TU Graz, Austria says: “Attending WoodStEx has made me aware of opportunities I didn’t know existed before. Everything I have learnt here will prove invaluable in helping me make a smooth transition into the working world when I graduate.”

WoodStEx will also have broader benefits for the schools, colleges and universities the students are currently attending.

William Westin studying Architecture at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, says: “All that we’ve learnt here will also have benefits for my colleagues and professors back home. They’re all waiting for me get back and tell them what it was like.”

Representatives from key Autodesk customers were also on hand at the event to share their knowledge with the Student Experts, helping to raise their awareness of what will be expected of them in the working world and how they can start preparing now for a professional career.

Kate Jones, leading the Formula Student UK project, spoke at the event on behalf of IMechE (the Institution for Mechanical Engineers): “We are happy to meet and have the opportunity to coach tomorrow’s mechanical engineers. This will not only make for a smooth transition into the working world for them but it will also bring added value to the industry as a whole.”