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The story from Cyprus shows how, with the right mindset and culture, small and medium enterprises can drive digital transformation from the ground up. It highlights the critical role of education and the training sector in delivering change.

BIM adoption is as much about mindset and culture as it is about technology. In a market where 2D workflows remain dominant and BIM is not yet mandated, the shift depends on leadership, trust, and a willingness to challenge long-established ways of working. This is not a story of rapid transformation driven by policy, but of gradual change led from within practice.

Protecting traditional values through BIM

The story from ARI EDUCATION shows how BIM can be a way to protect traditional values — improving transparency, coordination, and accountability while maintaining the trust that underpins long-standing professional relationships.

Starting small, focusing on tangible benefits, and demonstrating value in real projects are key to overcoming scepticism and resistance.

The story underlines the critical role of education and training. Universities and training providers become catalysts for change, equipping the next generation with the skills and confidence to move the industry forward.

About Sifa Ari and ARI EDUCATION

Sifa Ari is a BIM and digital transformation specialist. She runs her family construction business, lectures at Eastern Mediterranean University, and is the founder of ARI EDUCATION — an Autodesk Learning Partner in Taskinkoy-Lefkosa, Cyprus.

Established in 2020, the training business provides learning opportunities for anyone seeking to improve their skills in the field of information technologies. Working with both academia and industry, ARI EDUCATION enables people to be productive in their careers by helping them develop technical design and visualisation skills.

Listen to Sifa’s thoughts:

Ethiopia is at an early but pivotal stage in its Building Information Modelling (BIM) journey. As the country begins rolling out national BIM standards, this story highlights the critical role of government leadership, clear standards, and skills development in accelerating BIM readiness across the construction sector.

Ethiopia’s experience shows that while standards create momentum, skills create impact. The introduction of a national BIM standard has brought clarity and confidence to the market, enabling government bodies, industry organisations, and private companies to align around a shared direction for digital transformation.

Turning policy into practice through skills

A key theme of this story is the essential role of training providers as capacity builders. By focusing on trainer development, practical application, and close alignment with national standards, CMI-BIM Training Center is helping transform policy intent into real, usable capability.

Its train-the-trainer model demonstrates how skills development can be scaled efficiently across universities, professional networks, and regulatory bodies. This approach allows BIM capacity to multiply far beyond a single organisation, accelerating adoption across the wider ecosystem.

Building long-term digital confidence

With strong government backing, increasing industry demand, and a focus on real-world application, Ethiopia is laying foundations not only for BIM adoption, but for long-term digital confidence across its construction sector. The combination of leadership, standards, and structured skills development is creating the conditions needed for sustainable transformation.

About CMI-BIM Training Center

CMI-BIM Training Center is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and operates under the Construction Project Management Institute (CMI), re-established by Proclamation No. 1263/2014.

CMI plays a central role in strengthening Ethiopia’s construction project delivery by building national capacity. Its work includes developing policies and strategies, establishing internationally aligned certification and competency systems, and providing research, training, and consultancy services. CMI also identifies skills gaps, standardises methodologies, facilitates technology transfer, benchmarks project competitiveness, and collaborates with local and international institutions to improve efficiency, quality, and professionalism across the sector.

The story we keep hearing – we need more people with the right skills  

Engage with the design, planning and delivery of almost any AECO project today – from a high-rise in the Middle East to an infrastructure programme in Africa – and something becomes apparent. The tools and technology have advanced – but there are insufficient people to fully master them.   

BIM isn’t just software on a desktop. It is a discipline threading through design, construction, and operation. The work showcased within our new BIM Realities report reveal a truth: digital transformation is only as strong as the people who deliver and drive it. 

We know that for decades, informal learning quietly carried a mainly analogue industry forward. Engineers picked up modelling skills on the job. Project teams often learned to coordinate through trial and error. For a time, it worked. But as projects grow in complexity, scale, and connectivity, ad-hoc upskilling is no longer enough.  The gaps are visible, and the stakes are high. 

Across the BIM Realities stories, we build a picture. The industry can no longer rely on informal, ad-hoc learning. Structured development pathways, including certification, are becoming essential. 

From isolated knowledge to organisational capability 

Similarly, we see a perceptible shift from individual skilling to organisational and national capability. Many of the initiatives are designed to be scaled – they focus on regional and national capacity-building. They aim to avoid situations where a few highly skilled individuals carry a project, only for bottlenecks to emerge when they move on. They aim to move on from circumstances where knowledge lived in people’s heads, not in shared processes or standards. 

Structured learning pathways can address this. Planned, role-specific, measurable programmes embed knowledge across teams. Certification provides a benchmark – a shared language of skills that partners and clients can trust. 

This consistency of message and language is so important. I loved the comment from one trainee, a civil and architectural engineer working on the Ellinikon in Greece: 

In the past we faced delays and rework due to miscommunication between designers and the site – drawings didn’t always match, leading to onthespot changes. We needed a tool and methodology to unify all project information. With BIM training from Face-to-Face, I gained this capability – working in a single digital environment where architects, engineers and the site share the same model. 

We now all speak the same language by looking at the 3D model, rather than trying to coordinate with drawings and phone calls.

Capability, context and collaboration  

BIM capability isn’t just about knowing software. It’s about using it well in context: coordinating across disciplines, understanding downstream impacts and maintaining quality over time. Organisations are realising that relying solely on ad-hoc learning is insufficient for this level of complexity. 

AECO work is collaborative by nature. Designers, engineers, contractors, and operators must coordinate in real time, sometime across geographies. Trust is built on predictable, demonstrable capability. 

Stories in BIM Realities highlight that structured development and certification don’t just improve individual confidence, they build collective trust. Teams know what to expect from each other, organisations reassure clients, and projects are less prone to error or rework. 

Taking a strategic, long-term view 

Investment in and commitment to capability development is increasingly becoming strategic, not just operational. Early-career professionals are nurtured for future roles, role-specific pathways exist, and organisational memory is retained. 

This long-term perspective helps organisations to avoid reactive training and skills shortages. Structured learning and certification become investment instruments, enabling teams to be deployed confidently across projects, regions and markets. 

As we see from the BIM Realities stories there are other tools in the mix driving change. On-the-job problem solving, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing are crucial – as are skills competitions, work experience opportunities. The difference is that all of these can be – and are – now embedded within formal frameworks, ensuring consistency and alignment with organisational and national goals. 

The BIM Realities stories consistently show that the most successful skilling frameworks (both organisational and country-wide) use a combination of levers depending on the market context and the learner group in question.  Informal learning provides creativity and flexibility, while structured programmes provide reliability and predictability. And for the future generations of engineers, designers and architects, early exposure is key.  

For further information

BIM Realities is available for download here.

For enquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact: ALP-Support@knowledgepoint.com

BIM Realities, a new insight report from KnowledgePoint, explores how the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) sector is adopting Building Information Modelling (BIM). The report brings together real-world stories, practical lessons, and actionable insights to help the sector accelerate digital transformation and unlock the full potential of BIM.

With construction and infrastructure projects growing in complexity, organisations are facing unprecedented challenges.  Skills shortages, fragmented adoption of digital tools, and increasing pressure to deliver sustainable, collaborative outcomes are driving the need for more effective strategies for workforce development and capability building.

BIM Realities documents how organisations, educators, and Autodesk Learning Partners are navigating this transformation.

Real stories, real challenges, real solutions

BIM Realities brings together a collection of stories from across the AECO ecosystem. These narratives highlight the realities of BIM adoption – in particular the steps organisations are taking to address gaps in skills, processes and collaboration.

“The adoption of BIM is not just a technical challenge – it’s a people challenge,” says Tomas Karlsson, Head of Channel Services, KnowledgePoint.

“These stories show that technology alone is not enough. To fully realise the benefits of BIM, organisations must invest in their people and skills, and work collaboratively with educators, industry partners, and policymakers.  BIM Realities captures those stories and practical examples for driving digital transformation.”

Learning Partners: at the forefront of change

Autodesk Learning Partners feature prominently in the report, showcasing how they are supporting organisations and nations to develop the capabilities and capacity to adopt BIM. Together they showcase the role of structured training, early career development, and practical upskilling in equipping the workforce for the digital future.

Tomas says, “Standards and mandates often set expectations for the adoption of technology, such as BIM. Our stories collated together in this report show how people and skills are key to realising the benefits of BIM workflows. 

“The report highlights the value of collaboration, practical learning, and ongoing skills development. It provides practical suggestions and example projects which should inspire those with a vested interest in the AECO market.”

Themes explored in BIM Realities include:

• Early careers and skills development: How to attract and develop the next generation of digital-ready AECO professionals.
• Evolving skillsets: The need for continuous upskilling as technology and processes change.
• Collaboration and integration: How organisations are working across disciplines and with partners to deliver better outcomes.
• Women in AECO and inclusivity: Building a diverse workforce equipped for digital workflows.
• Sustainability and infrastructure: The role of BIM in delivering more sustainable, resilient projects.

A collective effort for digital transformation

The report emphasises that no single organisation can achieve digital transformation alone. Governments, industry, educators and training providers must work together to ensure that the sector develops the capabilities required to adopt BIM fully and sustainably.

“BIM Realities provides insight into what has worked elsewhere – and the support that Autodesk Learning Partners can provide,” says Tomas. “It’s about creating a collective effort to build skills, drive adoption, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for projects, clients, communities and nations.”

For further information

BIM Realities is available for download here.

KnowledgePoint encourages AECO organisations, educators and policy makers to explore the stories, reflect on the lessons learned, and engage in the conversation about the next steps for BIM adoption.

For enquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact: ALP-Support@knowledgepoint.com

KnowledgePoint recognised three Autodesk Learning Partners for their achievements at the recent Autodesk Learning Partner Summit 2025 held in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The recipients were presented with the annual excellence awards by Kyra Ward, Sr Director Field & Channel Engagement at Autodesk and John Peros, Director Autodesk Learning Partner programs.

Make the Future: CAD Masters Training & Solutions in Egypt

The Make the Future award recognises a partner who has gone above and beyond to promote Autodesk solutions, exceeding expectations, and laying the ground for future growth.

CAD Masters Training & Solutions have strategically expanded their business across multiple sectors by delivering training to more than 1,500 learners in the past year. Their commitment to future talent is particularly evident through signing of MoUs with major universities and training over 100 academic staff in their market.

Stronger Together: COSTECH COMPUTERS LIMITED in Nigeria

The Stronger Together award honours a partner who understands the power of collaboration as a way of reaching the sky.

COSTECH COMPUTERS LIMITED brought together industry leaders, students, startups, and freelance professionals in a major event focused on addressing the infrastructure challenges in Nigeria. Delivered in close collaboration with their distributor and the Autodesk team, the event showcased the incredible potential of working together to drive innovation and community engagement.

Autodesk Certified Instructor for AEC: George Panagiotis Exarchopoulos, Face to Face-System in Greece.

The Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI) for AEC award recognizes an instructor who has consistently delivered excellence in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector.

George Panagiotis Exarchopoulos has a long-standing track record of achieving high training participant satisfaction ratings for Revit, AutoCAD, and 3ds Max training courses. George’s long tenure is reflected in having earned the ACI Platinum badge. In the past year alone, he has achieved a 95% satisfaction rate in teaching delivery and an incredible 99% in overall participant experience through the Autodesk Training Evaluation System.

Congratulations to all the well-deserved winners!

In a first for the Designathon, team Ritmik secured recognition from Autodesk as a wildcard winners. 

The calibre of the entries in the third edition of the international student competition was incredibly high so an additional category was introduced, as a surprise, in the third edition of the Designathon. 

John Peros, Director – Autodesk Learning Partner Program, decided to play a wildcard by selecting an additional team for celebration from the 178 entries. In marking their achievement:

“I just love the way this shape flows. One of the great things about Autodesk Fusion is being able to create smooth transitions in your modelling. The scale and feel of the space is very inviting.”

Büşra Ulucak, Çağan Hancı and Elif Güvendik, Industrial Design students at Middle East Technical University, Türkiye, made up Ritmik. They designed a self-sufficient outdoor study pavilion that blends renewable energy with user-centred design. The distinctive roof form, lined with photovoltaic panels, generates clean power for lighting and device-charging while providing shade and rain protection.

When asked about their wildcard win, they said:

“It was actually a surprise since we were the last team that was announced as wildcard winners and we did not know that there was any other category, but we are quite happy and shocked in a good way about the results of our work.”

Their success has been acknowledged by their university. 

Prof. Dr. Gülay Hasdoğan, Head of the Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture said:

“Team Ritmik showed an excellent understanding of one of the core principles of industrial design: the need to harmonise aesthetics with functionality. It’s exciting to see how effectively they used digital modelling to explore and refine the flowing, organic forms at the heart of their concept. As their tutor, it’s rewarding to watch students grow into confident, capable designers who can communicate strong ideas through both form and function.” 

Team Ritmik will now be able to access Autodesk certification, widely recognised by employers around the world.

Working to a tight Designathon schedule honed the team’s organisation and work-division skills, forcing them to adapt quickly when there was “no time to research existing products”. That agility – and new-found confidence with Autodesk Fusion for rapid digital prototyping – will serve them well as they pursue careers in industrial design.

About the Designathon

Designathon 2025, organised by KnowledgePoint, was the third edition of a two‑day international online design challenge for teams of engineering and industrial design students. Students were offered training to boost their Autodesk Fusion modelling skills and learn about key workflows. 

They then worked in teams of two or three to respond to a sustainable design challenge – the student teams were asked to design an accessible, aesthetically-pleasing outdoor hub where students can gather, work and charge their devices. The solution needed to use a renewable energy source (or sources) for the electrical supply. The design needed to consider durability, usability and impact on the environment.

This year teams of students from 140 educational institutions took part. 178 projects​ were submitted, involving 446 participants​ in 17 countries. Entries were of a very high standard, making the selection of winners very difficult for the jury.

For more information about Designathon 2025 and Autodesk’s commitment to education, visit our landing-page here.

Team NotFound from Delhi Technological University made a strong impression in Designathon 2025 with a bold, climate-adaptive concept that blends architectural insight with sustainable engineering.

Saibik Dey, Tejas, and Vinayak Biju designed a year-round student workspace that stays cool without relying on air conditioning – a critical challenge in India’s increasingly hot summers.

The concept was shaped by India’s climatic conditions and influenced by the bold, sustainable architecture of the Chandigarh College of Architecture. It all came together thanks to the team’s commitment to usability, environmental performance and understanding of the environment around them.

The team’s third place has been recognised by their university. 

Dr. Ravindra Singh, from the Department of Design, Delhi Technological University said:

“We are immensely proud of our students’ achievement at the Autodesk Designathon 2025. Their success reflects the creativity, technical skills, and dedication fostered at Delhi Technological University. We appreciate Autodesk and KnowledgePoint for providing such an excellent platform to showcase young talent.”

The team’s approach prioritised natural cooling through thoughtful spatial orientation and materials. A south-facing layout takes advantage of prevailing winds, while sun-breaker walls block direct sunlight and even channel air inside via a Venturi effect. A layered roof system – with cement, clay, and rooftop planting – draws on the evaporative cooling power of traditional clay pots. Meanwhile, solar panels provide renewable energy for lighting and charging, and the rooftop doubles as an outdoor study area to make every part of the design work harder.

“The best part of Designathon,” said the team, “was the immense help from student experts and the supportiveness of the hosts.”

But completing the full design, renderings, and summary in such a tight timeframe? That was the real test. Along the way, they discovered new capabilities in Autodesk Fusion and sharpened their skills in collaboration and time management.

Each member of the team is aiming for a future in design: Vinayak and Tejas in product design, Saibik in visual/UI/UX design. Their Designathon experience – and Fusion 360 know-how – will give them a competitive edge as they move forward.

“We’re proud of what we achieved, and excited for what’s next.”

About the Designathon

Designathon 2025, organised by KnowledgePoint, was the third edition of a two‑day international online design challenge for teams of engineering and industrial design students. Students were offered training to boost their Autodesk Fusion modelling skills and learn about key workflows. 

They then worked in teams of two or three to respond to a sustainable design challenge – the student teams were asked to design an accessible, aesthetically-pleasing outdoor hub where students can gather, work and charge their devices. The solution needed to use a renewable energy source (or sources) for the electrical supply. The design needed to consider durability, usability and impact on the environment.

This year teams of students from 140 educational institutions took part. 178 projects​ were submitted, involving 446 participants​ in 17 countries. 

This year’s Designathon was really competitive, with three teams scoring the same in joint third place. This is what the jury had to say about the Team NotFound entry:

“We were impressed with how understanding of local climatic conditions clearly inspired the design for this outdoor student hub. By capitalising upon these conditions for its design and energy-supply, it offers a multi-level and functional space for students.”

Learn more about Designathon 2025 and Autodesk’s commitment to education here.

The duo of Kyrollos Shenouda and Youssef Nassar collaborated for success as KYO Design in Designathon 2025. The two students from the Faculty of Applied Arts, Benha University, Egypt, secured joint third place in the international student competition. 

Success in Designation 2025 has been an uplifting experience for the team.

“Seeing all the hard work, late nights, and creativity come to life and to be recognized on such a big stage has been deeply rewarding. It’s given us more confidence in our skills and inspired us to keep pushing boundaries, learn more, and aim even higher in future projects.”

Their entry was inspired by Zaha Hadid. The flowing canopy structure integrates renewable energy through roof-mounted solar panels, while providing shade and shelter throughout the year. Inside open seating and charging stations encourage collaboration, while the sculptural form blends with nature and creates a visually iconic gathering point on campus. The design balances aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability to meet the needs of students and the competition brief.

Participating in Designation 2025 allowed Kyrollos and Youssef to sharpen their Autodesk Fusion skills. They overcame obstacles such as slow internet and limited architectural knowledge to produce a design that stands out for both its aesthetics and functionality.

The jury was keen to recognise KYO Design’s efforts:

“The quirky nature-inspired design captured our attention and marked this project out for recognition. The organic design utilises solar-power and encourages airflow around the space. It offers an accessible outdoor hub where students can gather to work and collaborate.”

About the Designathon

Designathon 2025, organised by KnowledgePoint, was the third edition of a two‑day international online design challenge for teams of engineering and industrial design students. Students were offered training to boost their Autodesk Fusion modelling skills and learn about key workflows. 

They then worked in teams of two or three to respond to a sustainable design challenge – the student teams were asked to design an accessible, aesthetically-pleasing outdoor hub where students can gather, work and charge their devices. The solution needed to use a renewable energy source (or sources) for the electrical supply. The design needed to consider durability, usability and impact on the environment.

A key aim of the Designathon is to boost student employability, a point recognised by team KYO Design:

“Winning the third place makes us more confident to share designs and also it was great added to our portfolio.”

This year teams of students from 140 educational institutions took part. 178 projects​ were submitted, involving 446 participants​ in 17 countries. Entries were of a very high standard, making the selection of winners very difficult for the jury.

For more information about Designathon 2025 and Autodesk’s commitment to education, visit the Designathon page.

Team Barely Bearing from Tallinn University of Applied Sciences claimed joint third place in the international Designathon 2025 thanks to their concept for a modular, weather-proof student workspace hub powered by wind and solar energy.

The three-strong team of Nikita Kulakov, Nikita Pikkas and Reimo Vellemaa placed joint third in the student design competition.  Studying Mechanical Engineering or Robotics Engineering, the team impressed the jury with a solution which combines a timber enclosure, e-bike charging stations, a wind-turbine lamp-post, roof-mounted modular PV panels and an outdoor bench for collaboration and relaxation.

The team drew inspiration from nature, the Archimedean/Fibonacci screw, the desire for the solution to fit into many different climate settings and for it to be aesthetically pleasing.

Barely Bearing achieved the same score as two other entries, underscoring the competitive nature of the Designathon challenge. 

The jury said of the team’s entry:

“We liked this project for its use of natural materials and for the integration of renewable energy solutions for study and travel. The design brings together a number of features which demonstrate the team’s focus on sustainability and usability.”

Delighted to secure joint third place, the students talked about their motivation for participation in the Designathon challenge, saying:

“We wanted to push ourselves to learn more and make collective creative decisions in a limited timeframe. It allowed us to put our knowledge and skills to the test in Autodesk Fusion.”

As active members of their university’s Robotics Club, the students plan to keep using Autodesk Fusion for club projects and 3-D-printing experiments. Showcasing a Designathon podium finish on their CVs is, they say, “a definite selling-point for future employers” as they move towards careers in design, optimisation and automation.

About the Designathon

Designathon 2025, organised by KnowledgePoint, was the third edition of a two‑day international online design challenge for teams of engineering and industrial design students. Students were offered training to boost their Autodesk Fusion modelling skills and learn about key workflows. 

They then worked in teams of two or three to respond to a sustainable design challenge – the student teams were asked to design an accessible, aesthetically-pleasing outdoor hub where students can gather, work and charge their devices.  The solution needed to use a renewable energy source (or sources) for the electrical supply. The design needed to consider durability, usability and impact on the environment.

This year teams of students from 140 educational institutions took part. 178 projects​ were submitted, involving 446 participants​ in 17 countries. Entries were of a very high standard, making the selection of winners very difficult for the jury. For more information about Designathon 2025 and Autodesk’s commitment to education, visit the Designathon page.

Third place last year – second in 2025!  The team from Yıldız Technical University in Türkiye secured second position at Designathon 2025, the annual student design competition organised by KnowledgePoint. 

The two mechanical engineering students, Ahmet Akçadırci and İbrahim Berat Ertuğrul, set out to challenge themselves again, and it paid off. The students started with a sketch of their proposed concept, before starting the design and modelling process in Autodesk Fusion. 

Inspired by natural elements, the team’s IgLoop combined a palm-like central column evoking summer, and an exterior reminiscent of an igloo bringing a touch of winter. Its 90-degree foldable panels are designed allow users to enjoy fresh air while relaxing or studying.

Their entry describes the concept:

“Take a break from the hustle of campus life and immerse yourself in the harmony of the seasons with IgLoop—where the temperature adapts to the climate, and the ambiance always feels like peace.”

Having already reached the podium in Designathon 2024, Ahmet and İbrahim collaborated again on the 2025 edition. “Doing everything from scratch and seeing what you’re capable of” was, for them, the most rewarding part of the experience.

When asked about placing second in this year’s Designathon the team said:

“We feel happy about it. There were so many projects that we really liked and a bit surprised how we got selected. We guess it is the concept and feeling that made it stand out.”

Their achievement has also been recognised by their university. Associate Professor Dr. Binnur Sagbas who is the Vice Dean of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty at Yıldız Technical University said:

“We are delighted and proud that our students’ team, DesAIgn, achieved second place in Designathon 2025, a global competition with 178 projects from 140 educational institutions.

In this international challenge, which focused on renewable energy, sustainable design principles, and environmentally conscious solutions, our students inspired us all with their creativity and vision for a better future.

We sincerely congratulate them and wish that their success continues to be a source of inspiration.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to KnowledgePoint for providing such a meaningful platform that encourages young talents to design for a sustainable tomorrow.“

Entries were of a very high standard, making the judging process very difficult. This is what the jury had to say about the Team DesAIgn concept.

The jury said: “Its use of multiple renewable energy sources, combined with innovative design, made IgLoop a stand-out project. Its ability to adapt to the season and time of day offers a flexible study and social space for students. The team clearly understood the brief, and brought their concept to life through excellent 3D modelling and renders.”

About the Designathon

Designathon 2025, organised by KnowledgePoint, was the third edition of a two‑day international online design challenge for teams of engineering and industrial design students. Students were offered training to boost their Autodesk Fusion modelling skills and learn about key workflows. 

They then worked in teams of two or three to respond to a sustainable design challenge – the student teams were asked to design an accessible, aesthetically-pleasing outdoor hub where students can gather, work and charge their devices. The solution needed to use a renewable energy source (or sources) for the electrical supply. The design needed to consider durability, usability and impact on the environment.

This year teams of students from 140 educational institutions took part. 178 projects​ were submitted, involving 446 participants​ in 17 countries. Learn more about Designathon 2025 here.