Paris, September 13, 2007 - Lectra, the world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries that use soft goods, reinforces its Education Partnerships with the launching of a new worldwide Education Program aimed at schools and universities which train future professionals for the fashion industry. 

The new partnership program is designed to ensure that fashion institutions remain on the cutting edge of technology, promote exchanges with Lectra experts, and offer students the opportunity to gain practical business experience. Lectra is pleased to announce the first contracts signed with renowned universities. 

Moving forward with education partners and students 

Lectra has strongly supported education for several years. By offering the use of its applied technologies and expertise, the company is helping educators integrate them into their curricula at more than 660 fashion-dedicated schools and universities around the world. 

With this new partnership program, Lectra reinforces its support for tomorrow’s fashion professionals by helping them to improve their business and technology knowledge, thereby providing them with the skills and competences they need to succeed in the fashion world. Lectra also organizes meetings and seminars to share professional business experiences, innovation, and knowledge. 

In addition to the opportunity to use Lectra software, students can benefit from internships with the company’s R&D, marketing or solutions experts teams, either in their home country or abroad. They may also participate in seminars and receive sponsorship support for their end-of-study projects. 

Different partnership levels to cover all needs 

Three partnership levels have been defined to ensure that Lectra covers the needs and expectations of all partners, depending on their activities, curricula, and desired level of involvement: 

The first level provides institutions with royalty-free use of Lectra software licenses. 

The second level offers students the additional opportunity to have internship support and career planning, as well as help in completing their projects. 

The upper level implies a stronger commitment from both Lectra and the partner. Providing in-depth feedback and exchange channels, it allows both sides to share their common experiences for mutual benefit. 

In addition, Lectra provides additional advantages to help students during their studies and to have many opportunities to present their work to the professionals. 

First contracts signed 

Many contracts have already been signed, including highest-level partnerships in the UK with The Royal College of Art, De Montfort University, and Manchester University, in Italy with Instituto Carlo Secoli and Università di Urbino, in China with Donghua University, and in the US with Central Michigan University. 

“De Montfort University is delighted to be one of Lectra’s Educational Partners. We have used Lectra software for some years now, and can see tangible benefits in developing the relationship further within the Department of Fashion & Textiles, specifically in regard to research, staff and student development,” says Julie King, head of fashion and textiles at De Monfort University. “Lectra software introduces students to the way the industry works, linking it directly to their design and pattern design projects and helping them to professionalize their work.” 

Other signatures are pending with prestigious fashion and design institutions in the UK, France, China, Italy and the U.S.