Viewpoint Americas User Group donates funds for 3D plant design software to invest in users of the future

Houston , TX, USA – 26 February 2013: AVEVA announced today that the Viewpoint Americas User Group (Viewpoint) has donated funds to the University of Houston.  The money will be used to further support the use of AVEVA software on projects to train College of Technology students in the use of AVEVA PDMS for the process plant industry.  AVEVA PDMS will be introduced to students as part of a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. The course will cover the use of AVEVA PDMS as part of an integrated engineering process and culminates in the assembly of a stabilizer system. AVEVA will extend its own support to the program by offering training to the faculty and teaching assistants.

“The degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology has almost 500 undergraduate majors and is the largest program in the College of Technology,” said Raresh Pascali, Instructional Associate Professor, Department of Engineering Technology, University of Houston. “Prior to first offering the course in 2007, we looked at different 3D design software and selected AVEVA PDMS based on a number of technical and commercial considerations, including its dominant position in the offshore industry and the fact that the software has its own embedded database.  Our course offering is unique as we are educating students who will be hired predominately as AVEVA PDMS engineers. We would like to thank the Viewpoint Americas User Group for this kind donation and AVEVA for its continued support.”

“Following Viewpoint’s closing it was decided that the remaining funds be donated for the on-going development of the industry”, said Mark Bush, former Viewpoint Americas Chairman and Information Manager, OpAmp. “I speak on behalf of the former members who are delighted to donate our remaining funds to the University of Houston to further its degree program in Mechanical Engineering Technology. This is a great example of current PDMS users giving something back to the industry by investing in the users of the future.”

“In the last 10 years, over 80% of the largest production facilities in the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico were designed using AVEVA technology,” commented William Muldoon, Executive Vice President - North America, AVEVA. “AVEVA’s reputation and track record in the process plant and offshore industries is extremely strong and we’re confident that the skills gained by the students will support both the industry and their own personal career ambitions. We are very pleased that Viewpoint was able to provide this generous donation of AVEVA PDMS software and are proud to support the University of Houston through our training program.”

Viewpoint Americas User Group (Viewpoint) was set up in the 1980’s as the PDMS User Group of Americas (PUGA). With CADCentre’s rebrand to AVEVA and the addition of more AVEVA products the group became known as Viewpoint. Following the groups success of providing feedback on new AVEVA products, it was handed over to AVEVA, who now run a series of User Meetings, the last taking place in New Orleans in November 2012.

The College of Technology is fourth largest college at the University of Houston. The University has over 40,000 students and is the only Tier One public University located in Houston, the Energy Capital of the World.

The AVEVA Academic Initiative benefits educational institutions, their students, employers, and the global engineering economy. AVEVA's educational partners range from local vocational training centers to the world’s most prestigious postgraduate universities. Common to all is a dedication to developing engineering skills that can be applied directly in the plant or maritime industries. To learn more visit www.aveva.com/academic.

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AVEVA is a leader in engineering design and information management solutions for the plant, power and marine industries.  For more than 45 years, it has delivered business critical software solutions to owner operators, engineering contractors and shipbuilders around the world.  For further information please visit www.aveva.com/ednotes.