Mentor opens design lab in Hungary

As part of a mutual agreement, Mentor has donated more than $20M worth of EDA software and support to enable the students of BME to graduate with in-depth knowledge of leading edge design methodologies. Over 4,000 freshmen start their engineering studies at BME each September, making it one of the leading Hungarian universities preparing specialists in electronic system design. “The support of Mentor Graphics is opening new avenues in the education of integrated circuit (IC) design for us," said Professor Márta Rencz, head of the Department of Electron Devices, BME. “Teaching students how to work most effectively with industry-leading electronic design tools ensures a workforce well-prepared to advance Hungary's growing electronic industry." Under the auspices of the Mentor's Higher Education Program (HEP), the lab at BME is poised to become a center of excellence for future engineers in the region. In addition to the donation of software, Mentor is providing dedicated support, material and funds to quickly enable BME to develop a leading edge teaching and research program in the design of analog and mixed-signal custom ICs. Mentor is underwriting the cost of professors to develop and deliver these courses, and has also funded the upgrade of two laboratories to the latest facilities for the courses and research. “Universities and educational establishments in Hungary and Eastern Europe are producing highly talented engineers," said Hanns Windele, Mentor Graphics vice president for Europe. “As an EDA technology leader, we are delighted with this collaboration with Budapest University of Technology, which will produce engineers with knowledge of state-of-the-art design methodologies ready to contribute to the emerging electronics market in Eastern Europe."