SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Report on Form 6-K dated February 25, 2003
Commission File No. 0-28578
DASSAULT SYSTEMES S.A.
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(Name of Registrant)
9, Quai Marcel Dassault, B.P. 310, 92156 Suresnes Cedex, France
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Yes No X
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Yes No X
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Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this
Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
Yes No X
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-___________
ENCLOSURE:
Dassault Systemes S.A. (the "Company") is furnishing under cover of Form 6-K, a
press release dated February 25, 2003, announcing an educational partnership
with the University of Durham (England) and Oregon State University (U.S.A) for
the development of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) awareness.
Dassault Systemes Teams with the University
of Durham and Oregon State University
on PLM Awareness Project
Universities' joint digital enterprise research
laboratory to promote PLM understanding
with Dassault Systemes technology
Paris, France - February, 25 2003 - Dassault Systemes (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext
Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) today announced an educational partnership with the
University of Durham (England) and Oregon State University (U.S.A) for the
development of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) awareness.
Under the terms of the agreement, Dassault Systemes will provide the
universities with SMARTEAM(R), as well as additional CATIA(R) and DELMIA(TM)
products. In turn, the universities will promote PLM awareness, include
PLM-related courses within their curricula, and develop new software
applications.
The development of PLM awareness will be driven through the universities' joint
Global Digital Enterprise Research Laboratory (GDERL). Present on both campuses,
the GDERL focuses on the development of Digital Enterprise Technology research
and education. This focus embraces Dassault Systemes' products and vision of
PLM. The GDERL currently uses DELMIA and CATIA V5.
"The University of Durham and Oregon State University are highly-respected
institutions with close ties to industry in the U.K. and U.S.A.," said Paul
Maropoulos, Professor of Design and Manufacturing, University of Durham.
"Product Lifecycle Management is vitally important in today's rapidly changing
business environment. Access to Dassault Systemes' latest technology will give
staff and researchers at GDERL exciting opportunities to establish leading edge
research collaboration with industry in both countries and with Dassault
Systemes."
"The GDERL's reputation as an international center for advanced research and
higher learning will be strengthened by our partnership with Dassault Systemes,"
said Bill Reiter, Boeing Professor Design/Manufacturing, Oregon State
University. "Our students will be exposed to cutting-edge PLM solutions that
will help them in their research and design activities, not to mention prepare
them for their careers in the workplace."
"This agreement will have the twofold benefit of increasing awareness about PLM
on both sides of the Atlantic," said Francis Bernard, Executive Committee
Advisor and Member of the Board, Dassault Systemes. "In addition, promoting the
Digital Enterprise by providing strategic technologies to academic institutions
is a major focus of our ongoing efforts. This partnership will help to leverage
the power of our joint knowledge, expertise and innovation to enhance the
competitiveness of local industry."
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About Dassault Systemes
As world leader in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solutions, the Dassault
Systemes group brings value to more than 55,000 customers in 80 countries. A
pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systemes develops and
markets PLM application software and services that
support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire life cycle of
products from conception to retirement. Its offering includes integrated PLM
solutions for product development (CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SMARTEAM), general-use
3D solutions (SolidWorks), and 3D components (SPATIAL). Dassault Systemes is
listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock
exchanges. For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com
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About the University of Durham
Founded in 1832, Durham is the third oldest university in England. Durham is one
of the UK's principal research-led universities with an associated strong record
in teaching and knowledge-transfer activity with business and professional
sectors. It is a leading developer of Digital Enterprise Technology methods
which harness computing power to investigate and resolve a wide range of
manufacturing, production and management issues. Other key disciplines include
mathematics, chemistry, physics, biological and biomedical sciences, geography,
history, law and languages. The University has more than 10,000 undergraduates
and 2,500 postgraduates, drawn from 112 countries. Durham was the first English
University to offer a course in Engineering in 1837 and the present degree is a
four year Master in Engineering (MEng) programme. In the 2001 Research
Assessment Exercise carried out by the UK Government, the School of Engineering
was rated as a Grade 5 Department (on a scale of 1 to 5). For more information
visit http://www.dur.ac.uk
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About Oregon State University
Oregon State University (OSU) provides diverse educational opportunities through
the undergraduate and graduate programs of its 12 colleges, including the
College of Engineering, the largest college on campus. Academic choices include
studies in scientific, technological, professional and liberal arts fields, with
an emphasis on collaborative, interdisciplinary teaching and research. A
land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant university with beginnings in the 1850's,
OSU is now home to approximately 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students
representing more than 80 countries. The OSU College of Engineering has
graduated more than 25,000 engineers and is rapidly becoming one of the top-25
in the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.engr.oregonstate.edu
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University of Durham Press Oregon State University Dassault Systemes Press Dassault Systemes Investor
Contact: Press Contact: Contacts: Contact:
Keith Seacroft Gregg Kleiner Anthony Marechal Emma Rutherford, Harriet
University PR Office +1-541-753-0018 +33 1 55 49 84 21 Keen
+44 (0) 191 374 2946 Gregg.Kleiner@orst.edu anthony_marechal@ds-fr.com Financial Dynamics
keith.seacroft@durham.ac.uk +44 207 831 3113
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
DASSAULT SYSTEMES S.A.
Date: February 25, 2003 By: /s/ Thibault de Tersant
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Name: Thibault de Tersant
Title: Chief Financial Officer,
Executive Vice President