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Autodesk Makes Design Software Free to Schools Worldwide

Design Software Leader Expands Reach of Free Education Offering to Prepare an Industry-ready Workforce
DUBAI, UAE, December 8th, 2014 — Fulfilling its promise to expand access to its professional design software in education, Autodesk, Inc.(NASDAQ: ADSK) has made its industry-leading design, engineering and entertainment software free* to students, instructors and academic institutions worldwide.

With this new education business model, more than 680 million students and educators from over 800,000 secondary and post-secondary schools in 188 countries can take advantage of free access to Autodesk’s professional software and services for use in classrooms, labs, and at home.
“The way we make things is changing rapidly, and we need a workforce ready to design for new manufacturing and construction techniques. By providing free professional design tools to students, faculty members and academic institutions around the world, we’re helping get industry ready for the next phase,” said Carl Bass, CEO, Autodesk.
Following its announcement of free software for academic institutions in the United States earlier this year as part of President Obama’s ConnectED initiative, Autodesk has gradually expanded free access to its leading design software to academic institutions across Asia Pacific and Europe.  The leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software is also helping schools move to the cloud by providing academic institutions with its full suite of next generation cloud-based design products, cloud services such as the A360 collaboration platform, as well as maintenance subscription for free.
From students as young as 13 years old leveraging Fusion 360 to conceptualize and 3D print prosthetic devices, to college teams developing environmentally sustainable homes using BIM 360 Glue, young talent are pushing the boundaries of design and innovation both inside and outside of the classroom using the same design software used by professionals every day.
“Our students are using Fusion 360 to design an Energy Scooter which we are bringing to market via Kickstarter, and they’re only in 8th grade! If we can help more classroom teachers incorporate learning through design in their curriculum, and technologies that engage students in problem-solving through engineering, students will see how math and science are springboards to careers as future innovators and entrepreneurs,” said Karen Kaun, Founder of Makeosity.
To facilitate the integration of design tools into curricula, Autodesk also offers free project-based learning content and resources including the Digital STEAM Workshop and Design Academy.
“Closing the digital gap in education starts by providing European schools with common access to the same advanced technology being used by industry professionals today. Autodesk’s pledge to provide our schools, students and teachers with free access to its professional 3D design software will enable educators to introduce design thinking into our classrooms; equip digital natives with the design tools to learn to solve real-world challenges in new creative ways; and prepare the next-generation workforce with the 21st century skills to meet industry demands and advance our economies,” said Neelie Kroes, formervice-president of the European Commission.
To learn more or to request free educational access to Autodesk software, visit http://www.autodesk.com/education.
About Autodesk
Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone—from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.
Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, A360, BIM 360 and Fusion 360, are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
© 2014 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
Free Autodesk software and/or cloud-based services may only be used for educational purposes and are subject to acceptance of and compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license agreement or terms of service.  Details and restrictions available at http://usa.autodesk.com/legal-notices-trademarks.  
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Autodesk Empowers 16-year-old Emirati Girl Students to Design Next Generation Mini-F1 Cars

Al Shohub Private School’s ‘Wild Fire’ design team leverages software and training from Autodesk to design, analyze, create and test their creations for ‘F1 in Schools World Finals 2014’
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, SEPTEMBER 08, 2014 — Autodesk, a world leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software is empowering a team of 16-year-old Emirati girls from Al Shohub Private School in Abu Dhabi in their quest for the top spot at the ‘F1 in Schools World Finals 2014.’ The all-girls team from Al Shohub Private School will use professional 3D design software such as Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Flow Design to design a scale-model Formula One (F1) car of the future for this year’s edition of the competition.  As the technology partner, Autodesk is helping the team with technical support and the software tools required for the project.

‘F1 in Schools,’ is an international competition that challenges teams of school students to design and build their own Formula 1 team and run it as a mini-enterprise project. As the premier software partner for F1 in Schools, Autodesk provided all participating teams with free access to its full portfolio of creativity applications and professional 3D design software to bring their ideas to life in the virtual world and create their race car model made from balsa wood.
Shaikha Al Jawder, Team Manager, Al Shohub Private School holds the prototype version of the F1 car designed by the team.

Team ‘Wild Fire’ from Al Shohub Private School in Abu Dhabi is the first all-girl Emirati team in the competition, is composed of Shaikha Al Jawder, Team Manager;  Amna Al Romaithi, Car Designer; Haya Al Khaled, Deputy Car Designer; Noora Al Saian, Pit Display Designer and Mariam Al Saian, Marketing Manager. They are one of the four UAE teams that will represent the region and compete against teams from around the world in the Championships at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi on November 16 – 19, 2014.

“It’s inspiring to witness the amount of creativity, skill and talent that the four UAE teams participating at the F1in Schools World Finals possess, and it’s especially wonderful to be able to be able to equip an all-girl’s team from Al Shohub Private School with our professional 3D design tools Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Flow Design to help them clinch a spot in the World Championships,” said George Abraham, Director of Education, Autodesk. “F1 in Schools gives us a glimpse of the promising future generation of engineers and designers. We commend the F1 in Schools competition, which has grown year on year since it started in 2000, successfully proving to be an excellent outlet for young talent and in helping students realize their potential.”

Paul Bray, F1 in Schools Program Consultant, Yas Marina Circuit; Laura Crosse, ‘F1 in Schools’ Programme Manager, Al Shohub Private School; Shaikha Al Jawder, Team Manager, Al Shohub Private School; Ayman Nicola, Technical Engineer, Autodesk Middle East.
The final leg of the competition will take place ahead of the 2014 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This year’s event will also include an evening gala awards dinner ceremony where high profile figures from Abu Dhabi and Formula 1 will be in attendance. Winners for the competition will be awarded the Bernie Ecclestone World Championship trophy and crowned F1 in Schools 2014 World Champions. The winning team will also be given the opportunity to attend the 2014 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and experience the real world of Formula 1.
“The F1 in schools program not only allows students to experience their creations but has also helped change perceptions of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by creating a fun and challenging learning environment for them. The initiative has greatly inspired today’s young people to further develop their technical skills and spark more interest in pursuing careers in engineering, science, and technology. We believe that programs like this are integral to the future of the UAE and we affirm our continued support for similar initiatives,” concluded Abdulla Al Shammari, Youth and Community Manager, Abu Dhabi Motor Sports Management.
About F1 in Schools
F1 in Schools™ is a not-for-profit company established with committed partners to provide an exciting yet challenging educational experience through the magnetic appeal of Formula One™. F1 in Schools is rapidly realizing its potential of becoming the only truly global educational program that raises awareness of Formula One among students and school children in every region, in every country, on every continent. Spanning age ranges of 9 to19 its main objective is to help change perceptions of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) by creating a fun and exciting learning environment for young people to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, mathematics, science, Formula One, marketing and technology.
The founding constitution of F1 in Schools stipulates that it is, and shall remain, a not-for-profit organization. Funds raised through sponsorship are invested in administering, developing and expanding the challenge. All income is deployed in accordance with guidelines laid down by Formula One Management.
   
About Autodesk
Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone—from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit www.autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.
Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Flow Design are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
Free Autodesk software and/or cloud-based services may only be used for educational purposes and are subject to acceptance of and compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license agreement or terms of service.