October 28, 2005 — The Ecole Polytechnique Innovation Management research chair aims to bridge the academic and business worlds. Its goal is to further develop theoretical approaches to innovation management and produce graduates able to take on the challenge of innovating within today’s businesses.

Bringing products to markets more rapidly, predicting trends and product usage, creating compelling new product offers, changing consumer habits…there are increasing factors weighing on a company’s competitive position.

The chair combines teaching and research activities. On the one hand, the Master of Science in Project, Innovation and Design Management implements contemporary concepts and theories in innovation management. The program lasts two years. It is open to French-speaking students from engineering and business schools. It prepares students for a business or consulting career, or for entry to a Ph.D program. The teaching program includes a one-year involvement with a real industrial innovation project. Student teams can experiment with contemporary innovation methodologies. Examples of Master projects are : Learning from a Disruptive Project (Renault), Valuing innovative service in Steel Business (Arcelor), Platform design management in auto industry (PSA)…

On the other hand, the Management Research Center (CRG) of Ecole Polytehnique develops the research activities of the Chair, in cooperation with international academic partners. The research program of the Chair offers doctoral and sabbatical grants on the theme of Innovation Management, a new research seminar and two specific studies analysis of collaborative inter-firm innovative processes, international comparison of advanced engineering and upfront innovation processes in the auto industry. The Chair offers, in partnership with Ecole de Paris du Management two monthly executive seminars on “Technological Resources” and “Creation”.

Ecole Polytechnique, drawing on its high teaching and research potential as well as on its network of academic and industrial partners, has already launched two chairs : the Chair “Sustainable Development” with EDF in 2001 and the Chair “Complex Systems Engineering” with Thales in 2004. Partnership between Ecole Polytechnique and the four industrial groups Arcelor, Dassault Systèmes, Renault and Valeo takes shape through a financial backing and research experience exchanges.

The Chair Innovation Management will be presented to the press

on Friday 28th October, 2 pm Ministère de la Recherche

5, rue Descartes – 75005 PARIS

With Christophe Midler, head of the CRG et responsible for the Chair « Innovation Management », Yannick d’Escatha, President of Board of Oversees, Ecole Polytechnique, Xavier Michel, President, Ecole Polytechnique, Bernard Charlès, President and CEO, Dassault Systèmes Guy Dollé, Chairman and CEO, Arcelor, Thierry Morin, Chairman and CEO, Valeo, Patrick Pélata, Executive Vice President, Renault.

About Dassault Systèmes

As world leader in 3D and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solutions, the Dassault Systèmes group brings value to more than 80,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes 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 maintenance. Its offering includes integrated PLM solutions for product development (CATIA®, DELMIA®, ENOVIA®, SMARTEAM®), mainstream 3D design tools (SolidWorks®), and 3D components (Spatial/ACIS®). Dassault Systèmes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges.

For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com

About Arcelor

Arcelor is a leading player of the global steel industry. With a turnover of 30 billion euros in 2004, the company holds leading positions in its main markets: automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging as well as general industry. The company - number one steel producer in Europe and Latin America - ambitions to further expand internationally in order to capture the growth potential of developing economies and offer technologically advanced steel solutions to its global customers. Arcelor employs 95,000 associates in over 60 countries. The company places its commitment to sustainable development at the heart of its strategy and ambitions to be a benchmark for economic performance, labour relations and social responsibility.

About Renault

Renault is an international automaker that has acquired a global reach through its Alliance with Nissan and acquisitions of Romanian car manufacturer, Dacia, and South Korea's Samsung Motors. Renault pursues a strategy of profitable and responsible growth with its innovative, quality range of vehicles and services. For nearly 50 years, Renault has made safety a pillar of its strategy. Today it boasts the safest line-up in Europe – it has eight cars with five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests. Worldwide, Renault employs 131,000 people. It sold 2,490,000 vehicles in 2004, recording revenues of €40.7 billion and a net income of €3.5 billion.

About Valeo

Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 130 plants, 68 R&D centers, 9 distribution centers and employs 72,100 people in 28 countries worldwide.