YEREVAN, Armenia, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS), a world leader in software and IP for semiconductor design, verification and manufacturing, announced today that the U.S. State Department has recognized Synopsys in Armenia among 12 finalists worldwide for the U.S. Secretary of State's prestigious 2010 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE). The finalists were chosen from a record number of 78 nominations submitted by American ambassadors around the world. ACE finalists are international business leaders who recognize the vital role that U.S. businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens.  The Secretary of State has awarded the ACE since 1999 to recognize U.S. businesses for advancing good corporate citizenship, innovation and democratic principles.

Synopsys is recognized for the software company's "promotion of U.S. and foreign investors by showcasing Armenia as a potential informational technology (IT) hub; collaboration with universities on IT training programs; and reduction of pollution levels by planting hundreds of trees to counter recent deforestation."

On November 10, 2010, Honorable Marie L. Jovanovich, Ambassador of the United States of America, revealed a special plaque at the Synopsys Armenia R&D Center in Yerevan. The plaque is signed by Under Secretary of Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Robert Hormats. The special citation was offered to Synopsys "in recognition of corporate citizenship, innovation and exemplary business practices in Armenia."

Other finalists are Alta Ventures in Mexico, Cisco in Israel, Coca-Cola in Swaziland, Denimatrix in Guatemala, Fiji Water in Fiji, GE in India, Intel in Costa Rica, Mars, Inc. in Ghana, PepsiCo in India, Qualcomm in China, and Tang Energy in China.

"Synopsys is committed to bringing the best technology solutions to our customers and to improving the communities where our employees work and live. Synopsys Armenia exemplifies how our business practices throughout the world reflect our company values of leadership, customer success and integrity," said Rich Goldman, vice president of corporate marketing and strategic alliances at Synopsys. "Whether it's helping ensure engineering students have access to the most advanced tools available, or planting trees in areas devoid of greenery, Synopsys' investments are intended to encourage growth. We thank the U.S. Secretary of State for recognizing these achievements by choosing Synopsys Armenia as an ACE finalist, and hope this recognition will inspire other companies to promote corporate social responsibility."

About Synopsys Armenia CJSC and Synopsys, Inc.

Synopsys, Inc. is a world leader in electronic design automation (EDA), supplying the global electronics market with a comprehensive, integrated portfolio of software, intellectual property (IP) and services used in semiconductor design, verification and manufacturing. Synopsys established its presence in Armenia in 2004, after Armenia declared information technology (IT) as a priority business for the country. Since then, Synopsys Armenia closed joint stock company (CJSC) has become an important Synopsys site, providing R&D and product support in EDA, design for manufacturing (DFM) and the development of semiconductor intellectual property (IP). The company employs several hundred qualified Armenian engineers and is one of largest IT employers in Armenia. To help provide Armenia with highly qualified IT specialists, Synopsys Armenia invests locally in IT education and is engaged in a number of successful cooperation programs with major Armenian universities such as Yerevan State University (YSU), State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA), American University of Armenia (AUA), Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) State University, and the Moscow Institute of Electronic Technologies (MIET). The company consistently promotes public interest in the high tech industry by sponsoring Presidential Awards for the best students in IT and contests among young specialists and students, and engages the broader community through charity work and volunteer activities. Synopsys Armenia CJSC is located in Yerevan. Synopsys, Inc. is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has approximately 70 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Asia and India. Visit Synopsys, Inc. and Synopsys Armenia online at http://www.synopsys.com and http://www.synopsys.am.

Synopsys is a registered trademark of Synopsys, Inc. Any other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Synopsys, Inc.