The design innovation technology company has created a web portal in co-operation with the Ministry of Education that offers students from several of China's universities free downloads of the latest digital design tools for specialities related to architecture, building and mechanical engineering.

Wan Qing Sun, senior manager for education programmes at Autodesk China, says the portal gives students an opportunity to gain access to the latest technologies and to develop their skills for the global marketplace.

"It allows them to do their homework and projects online, and provides opportunities for them to network with foreign students and industry experts," adds Wan.

The initiative is part of Autodesk's overall education strategy to train a new generation of skilled graduates who can meet the employment needs of China's fast-diversifying economy.

Three years ago, the group set up a Centre of Excellence computer laboratory with cutting-edge design technologies in collaboration with leading Chinese universities to develop a multidisciplinary curriculum customised to student needs.

Currently, Tsinghua University, Tongji University, Harbin Institute of Technology, South China University of Technology (SCUT) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University benefit from this project.

"Institutes of higher learning are places where information regarding changing cultural trends and advanced skills and technology are passed on to students. Architecture is one such skill," says Professor Li Jian Cheng, deputy director of the Architectural Technology & Science Institute, School of Architecture at SCUT.

"To enable our students to have a competitive edge in the workforce after graduation, the principal of SCUT pays constant attention to technological advances to ensure our students have working knowledge of the latest developments."

Prof Li adds that the training has enabled his graduates to find employment in the field of building design, where the demand for architectural skills is growing.

As public and private sector organisations in China increasingly recognise the opportunity the global design industry offers the local economy, China's universities are realising the importance of partnering with global leaders such as Autodesk.

The industry ventures are in line with a recent government campaign to focus on "independent innovation". The goal is to move away from "Made in China" to "Designed in China", by creating value-added, home-grown products, services and technologies.

Message of innovation

China's policymakers - no longer content with the country's role as the "world's factory" - have been aggressively promoting the message of innovation as the key to competitiveness.

"The government also wants to move towards sustainable development. The rising pressures on the country to reduce carbon emissions make sustainable design a growing area of importance and have led to a focus on integrating new technology," says Wan from Autodesk.

He adds that the transition cannot happen unless China nurtures and develops a pool of skilled labour, which can help it raise its status from that of low-cost manufacturing base.

"The government recognises one of the effective ways to bring about change is through education, to improve the global image of its students and show that they have the skills and knowledge to compete in the global marketplace."

Local enterprises such as Lenovo, Huaqi Information Digital Technology and Founder Technology have also set up independent industrial design departments to enhance their competitiveness.

But China's onward march is not without challenges. Because design is important in so many industries, there is a dearth of local experts to keep pace with rising demand.

Unlike other parts of Asia, such as Singapore or Hong Kong, which roll out the red carpet for foreign workers, mainland China cannot get round the problem by hiring from abroad.

"One foreign hire is equal to 10 local hires, so cost is an issue," says Wan. "This is why they need to train local people to fill the design-related technical jobs, as the demand is across all industries, not just for certain sectors."

While the educational investments by Autodesk have introduced innovation and creative design at the ground level, the more important goal of bridging the skills gap, is certainly going to be a more time-consuming process.

Wan says that it may take China a decade to build a sustainable talent base of engineers and designers who can support the industrial needs of the country.

"Every year, about 1.5 million engineers graduate in China. In about 10 years time, there will be enough qualified skilled students to meet the challenges China faces."

"It allows them to do their homework and projects online, and provides opportunities for them to network with foreign students and industry experts," adds Wan.

The initiative is part of Autodesk's overall education strategy to train a new generation of skilled graduates who can meet the employment needs of China's fast-diversifying economy.

Three years ago, the group set up a Centre of Excellence computer laboratory with cutting-edge design technologies in collaboration with leading Chinese universities to develop a multidisciplinary curriculum customised to student needs.

Currently, Tsinghua University, Tongji University, Harbin Institute of Technology, South China University of Technology (SCUT) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University benefit from this project.

"Institutes of higher learning are places where information regarding changing cultural trends and advanced skills and technology are passed on to students. Architecture is one such skill," says Professor Li Jian Cheng, deputy director of the Architectural Technology & Science Institute, School of Architecture at SCUT.

"To enable our students to have a competitive edge in the workforce after graduation, the principal of SCUT pays constant attention to technological advances to ensure our students have working knowledge of the latest developments."

Prof Li adds that the training has enabled his graduates to find employment in the field of building design, where the demand for architectural skills is growing.

As public and private sector organisations in China increasingly recognise the opportunity the global design industry offers the local economy, China's universities are realising the importance of partnering with global leaders such as Autodesk.

The industry ventures are in line with a recent government campaign to focus on "independent innovation". The goal is to move away from "Made in China" to "Designed in China", by creating value-added, home-grown products, services and technologies.

Message of innovation

China's policymakers - no longer content with the country's role as the "world's factory" - have been aggressively promoting the message of innovation as the key to competitiveness.

"The government also wants to move towards sustainable development. The rising pressures on the country to reduce carbon emissions make sustainable design a growing area of importance and have led to a focus on integrating new technology," says Wan from Autodesk.

He adds that the transition cannot happen unless China nurtures and develops a pool of skilled labour, which can help it raise its status from that of low-cost manufacturing base.

"The government recognises one of the effective ways to bring about change is through education, to improve the global image of its students and show that they have the skills and knowledge to compete in the global marketplace."

Local enterprises such as Lenovo, Huaqi Information Digital Technology and Founder Technology have also set up independent industrial design departments to enhance their competitiveness.

But China's onward march is not without challenges. Because design is important in so many industries, there is a dearth of local experts to keep pace with rising demand.

Unlike other parts of Asia, such as Singapore or Hong Kong, which roll out the red carpet for foreign workers, mainland China cannot get round the problem by hiring from abroad.

"One foreign hire is equal to 10 local hires, so cost is an issue," says Wan. "This is why they need to train local people to fill the design-related technical jobs, as the demand is across all industries, not just for certain sectors."

While the educational investments by Autodesk have introduced innovation and creative design at the ground level, the more important goal of bridging the skills gap, is certainly going to be a more time-consuming process.

Wan says that it may take China a decade to build a sustainable talent base of engineers and designers who can support the industrial needs of the country.

"Every year, about 1.5 million engineers graduate in China. In about 10 years time, there will be enough qualified skilled students to meet the challenges China faces."

Source: Gulf News