Iowa Western unveils new technology center

ATLANTIC — A ribbon was cut on Iowa Western Community College's Design Technology Program Sept. 15, but a  large group of students have already been enjoying the benefits of the new state-of-the-art computer lab.

Students in the first Design Technology class showed off their skills following a special event at the center in Atlantic.

“This is truly a one-of-a-kind program that will benefit students and the community of Atlantic for years to come,” said Iowa Western President Dan Kinney following a dedication by the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and other civic leaders. “This state-of-the-art program and the technology being offered through this software is where the industry is headed. We will be poised to offer the best education for our students who want to pursue careers in this growing field.”

Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division and a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, announced last February the largest in-kind corporate contribution to the college, an in-kind software grant from Siemens PLM Software with a commercial value of $65.2 million.

The new software, which will be incorporated into the curricula, will introduce students to product design and development technology used by many of the world's leading manufacturing, architectural and construction companies.  

The coursework will help prepare students to develop technical drawings and plans to build everything from microchips to skyscrapers.

Over the past few months, the college, with the support of community leaders, raised funds to help construct the computer facility needed to house the software program at the center in Atlantic.