EIU Officials "Euphoric" Over $1.465 Million Software Gift
Oct-21-2003
When Jean Dilworth recently learned that $1.465 million worth of U4ia (euphoria) software was being donated to Eastern Illinois University, her feelings matched that of the name of the gift.
Lectra, the world leader in providing a comprehensive range of high technology solutions (CAD/CAM software/hardware) for the apparel industry, announced its gift last week. And as word leaked out, officials at Eastern voiced their excitement over the company's generosity.
It is believed that the Lectra gift is the largest in the history of Eastern's School of Family and Consumer Sciences.
"We are excited for the merchandising students and their studies in textiles," said Dilworth, who is a textiles and apparel specialist at the school.
According to Dilworth, the software Eastern will receive is used in major retail store design programs, including nine of the top 10 leading retailers. Its capabilities are many, including the on-line design of textiles; the creation of product lines, from conceptual sketch to final specifications and virtual prototypes; and merchandising. For example, one can develop a printed textile design, then send it electronically to a garment manufacturer and Web page viewing.
In addition, changes from mass production to non-minimum limit printing requests - also made possible through the software's applications - has created a high demand for digital color print designers.
This gift of software, Dilworth said, will have a major impact on FCS and other EIU students planning to take courses in merchandising, graphic communications, graphic arts and advertising.
Lectra has operations in more than 100 countries, serving more than 10,000 clients worldwide.
"And Lectra is aware that its clients have a need for employees who are knowledgeable about this software and how to use it," Dilworth said. "There is a high demand for textile color print designers in a variety of industries, and a need for those designers to understand color compliance.
"With this new software, our students will have additional opportunities made available to them," she added.
Eastern currently has about 90 students each in the FCS department's merchandising and consumer affairs programs who will benefit from these new learning opportunities. Others, too, will benefit, including students enrolled in Eastern's School of Technology's graphics communication program.
Dilworth, who initiated the gift during the annual American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists conference last month, said Lectra's representatives are excited about the prospect of becoming educational partners with Eastern.
The next step in implementing the gift is training on the Lectra U4ia software for two faculty members teaching closely related courses. Dilworth will be joined by Phil Age, digital color graphics communications specialist in Eastern's School of Technology, when they attend training in New York later this year or in early spring. If all goes as planned, students will have the U4ia software incorporated into their curriculum as early as Fall 2004.
About Lectra
Lectra is the world leader in the design and distribution of software and hardware dedicated to the major industrial users of textiles, leather and other soft materials, supplying a comprehensive array of associated services for the development of complete solutions, from product design to manufacture to retailing. Lectra is present on all major markets, including fashion, apparel and retailing, luggage and leather goods, footwear, furniture and furnishings, transportation (the automotive, aerospace and marine industries), together with other industries working with industrial fabrics and composite materials.
With a staff of 1,350 worldwide, Lectra generates close to 90 percent of its revenues outside France, thanks to its unique international network serving more than 10,000 customers in over 100 countries. Lectra's shares (code ISIN FR0000065484) are traded on the Second Marché of the Euronext Paris exchange (in the NextEconomy segment). They figure among the European stocks making up the Euronext Next 150 index, and also among the French stocks making up the SBF 250, Midcac and Second Marché indexes of Euronext Paris.
Learn more about Lectra at www.lectra.com
