Case Study: Ulster University boosts student employability and streamlines local manufacturing with Solid Edge

Ulster University uses Solid Edge as a platform to support the development of students and the growth of local businesses

Ulster University, a regional leader in teaching, research and industrial consultancy, faced the challenge of enhancing student employability and providing practical expertise to local businesses. To address this, the university adopted Solid Edge (Academic Solid Edge) from Siemens Digital Industries Software as its industry-standard 3D CAD platform for teaching, placements and consultancy projects.

By using Solid Edge to teach parametric and synchronous modeling and to drive CAD-to-CNC workflows, Ulster enabled students and staff to rapidly prototype and industrialize designs—most notably a single-sheet, pre-finished garage door developed with local company Garage Door Systems. Solid Edge is deployed on 250 licenses across campus; students are frequently offered jobs after placements, one final-year student won the Siemens Digital Industries Software Student Design Contest and secured employment, and the Garage Door Systems project led to a production contract and the expectation of several new local jobs—demonstrable gains in employability and regional innovation.

Ulster University

Peter Doherty

General Manager