Siemens offers Maine public university students free access to engineering software

The University of Maine has announced that it has received a grant of software from Siemens Digital Industries Software. Siemens will provide a set of digital tools, from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industrial software, which will enable Maine students to access the same technology that many of the largest companies in the world are using to develop innovative products. 

Thanks to this grant from Siemens to the University of Maine System, undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Maine and other public universities across the state will have free access to the Siemens software. They can learn how to use these software tools that are used by companies worldwide, for coursework and research projects in electrical, biomedical, aerospace, chemical, civil and mechanical engineering, as well as automation and advanced manufacturing. The Siemens software can be applied by students to a variety of applications, including engineering simulation, data and product life cycle management, computer-aided design and digital twin technology.

“The ability for students to work on state-of-the-art equipment, and software such as this, greatly enhances the student experience, bolsters their training, aids faculty, and enables students to be workforce-ready graduates prepared with the skills and experiences that employers need and want,” says Renee Kelly, associate vice president of strategic partnerships and innovation at UMaine.

The Siemens software will complement many other digital tools faculty at UMaine and across the System provide to help students gain experiential learning and practical skills for the modern workforce. 

The University of Maine partnered with SDA Software to apply for the Siemens grant. SDA Software will support the university and its students to incorporate these portfolio products into the academic curriculum. SDA Software, a national platinum Siemens reseller, continues to bring academia and industry together through strategic partnerships. 

“SDA Software is dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality support to help University of Maine achieve their workforce development goals.” SDA Software President Keith Brennan said.

The Siemens software is used by companies including General Dynamics, Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, Raytheon, Honda, Airbus, BioNTEch, Lockheed Martin, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the U.S. Navy and other major employers so training students in this technology can give them a competitive edge in today’s job market.

“Software like the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio is critical to engineering education and new technologies in design and manufacturing. For companies to be able to compete on the global market all of their data needs to be digital and the Siemens software allows students to learn and understand that critical Computer Aided Design technology,” says Mike Leighton, director of sustaining engineering for Hussey Seating.