Central Michigan University

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

CMU, Lectra design new partnership to benefit apparel program

A new venture between Central Michigan University and the world's leading technology provider to the fashion industry will bring numerous benefits to CMU's apparel merchandising and design program.

Representatives from Lectra recently visited CMU for the signing of an agreement that offers technology and opportunities for students and faculty while formalizing a longstanding, positive relationship between the company and the university.

With the signing, CMU is the first institution in the United States to join Lectra's new Education Partnership Program and officially becomes one of the company's "privileged partners."

"The new Education Partnership Program will provide expanded opportunities for AMD students," said Kathy Koch, interim associate dean of CMU's College of Education and Human Services and a member of the apparel merchandising and design faculty. "Our longtime relationship with Lectra has been a significant factor in our ability to provide well-prepared and competitive graduates for lucrative careers in the textile and apparel industries."

Provisions of the agreement include:

• Royalty-free licenses for Lectra software for use in CMU classrooms and laboratories, which are renewable each year.
• Royalty-free licenses for Lectra software for at-home use by select students enrolled in apparel design courses. The details for the distribution and use of these licenses will be determined by CMU's human environmental studies department, which houses the apparel merchandising and design program.
• Internship opportunities and career-planning guidance from Lectra for faculty-recommended CMU students.
• Participation by Lectra representatives as presenters at CMU-sponsored conferences and events when available.
• Invitations for CMU faculty to participate as presenters at Lectra-sponsored conferences and events.

"I'm very excited about all the projects we are engaged in with CMU, and I'm happy that we have signed this first 'privileged partnership' in the U.S. with a long-term Lectra partner," said Jerry Inman, vice president of marketing for Lectra Americas. "The goal is to enable both Lectra and CMU to benefit from our mutual experience and expertise by providing students with the tools they need to succeed in the fashion industry."

As a first step in the relationship, 15 of CMU's apparel merchandising and design students and assistant professor Mitzi Cook visited Lectra's Bordeaux, France, facility in summer 2007 as part of their trip to Paris for Human Environmental Studies 497: The Business and Design of European Fashion.

To learn more about CMU's apparel merchandising and design program, which recently garnered international attention for its role in testing the National Hockey League's new uniforms as part of a partnership with Reebok, visit http://www.ehs.cmich.edu/amd. More information regarding Lectra and its products can be found online at http://www.lectra.com.