Press Releases

RS Components Signing Agreement with Changzhou Institute of Technology to Extend Global University Network to China

RS Components' DesignSpark empowers students with cutting-edge electronic design process; Changzhou Institute of Technology is the first university in China to include DesignSpark tools in its curriculum

Malaysia, 24 May 2017:

RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, today announced a mutual agreement with Changzhou Institute of Technology (CIT) as its first RS University Partner in China. CIT will introduce RS Components’ DesignSpark tools into its curriculum to equip students with advanced tools for the entire electronic design process.

According to the agreement, CIT will implement user training of DesignSpark software suite, namely DesignSpark PCB and DesignSpark Mechanical into the curriculum of the undergraduate programme, while RS will provide support on design tool implementation and on the development of curriculum training and learning resources. The newly established Smart Systems Laboratory of CIT will serve as a hub for students to understand the entire design process, from front end circuit design to final product realisation. RS and CIT will also conduct regular meetings to review and facilitate the implementation progress.

“Changzhou Institute of Technology is our pilot partner in establishing a successful model for nurturing the next generation of electronic engineers in China. In the RS University programme, our local colleagues work closely with CIT to provide tailored and practical support that benefit both the university and RS. We expect this successful partnership with CIT to be a role model of our upcoming university partners in China,” said Mike Brojak, Global Vice President of Innovation Labs at RS Components. "According to the Chinese proverb ‘One must have precise tools for good jobs’, our DesignSpark tools are an asset to all engineers for efficient electronic design process and troubleshooting.”

Upon completion of implementation, 1,600 engineering students of CIT’s School of Computer and Information Engineering will have access to DesignSpark’s conducive learning environment with its advanced design tools and resources. Other activities including competitions and engineering-related projects to create awareness among students are also being planned.

Professor Yifei Li, the Chairman of Smart System Laboratory of CIT, said, "Our engineering students will have hands-on experience on the design tools widely used within the industry, and be equipped with the theoretical know-how for schematic capture as well as be enhanced with their practical capabilities in this field. This will minimise the bridging period of graduates from school to the workplace, and offer them solid skills to cope with the fast-paced engineering industry."

Professor Ji Xi, Head of Software Engineering Department of CIT, said, “Changzhou Institute of Technology would like to thank Professor Johann Siau at the University of Hertfordshire and Ms Catherine Sun the Community Manager from RS Components for their great support and assistance during the formation of our new SmartLab. CIT and RS are setting a good model of school-enterprise cooperation. In addition, RS’ generous sponsorship shows the company’s steadfast support of our Smart Lab and School of Computer and Information Engineering. We are looking forward to further collaborations in content creation, lecture enhancements, and accelerated implementation of innovative student projects, to achieve success in every aspect in this collaboration. We believe that the introduction of enterprise resources for improved curriculum and student development will result in a win-win situation for enterprise, school and students.”

CIT is the first university in China to implement a course module based on DesignSpark tools for PCBs and mechanical design. Through the user training modules, students will acquire skills in using the software for schematic capture, PCB board design and layout, and generate manufacturing files, which are essential skills in the electronic design and engineering sector.