On the 19th and 20th of September, the École des Ponts ParisTech in Paris hosted an important occasion for the EELISA Alliance—the Capstone project presentations and Graduation Ceremony for the first-ever cohort of the Digital Twins Executive Master program. This prestigious event showcased the innovative and transformative ideas that emerged from the program’s inaugural edition, drawing attention to the remarkable achievements of its graduates.
Among the highlights were six groundbreaking capstone projects, each exemplifying cutting-edge advancements in the digital twin technologies sector:
One project focused on optimizing Scan2BIM applications for the French railway infrastructure, brought to life by Víctor Aparici Godoy, Fouad Harrag, Beatriz Crespo Martín, and György Heusz under the guidance of Altametris mentors Livaï Quintard and Anis Chaarana, with coordination from Nicolas Audebert of École des Ponts ParisTech.
Another team comprising Juan Manuel Aguado López, Borja Bergara, Salihcan Karaman, and András Nagy tackled the challenge of improving the reliability of asset data through remote multi-source measurements. This project was mentored by Maxime Gueguin and Daniel Chauveheid of Eurobios Mews Labs, with Loïc Landrieu from École nationale des ponts et chaussées overseeing the coordination.
In a dynamic simulation-based project, Abba Mohammed Abubakar and Edmore Hamandishe explored wind turbine sensors using real-world data. Their work was guided by Siemens Gamesa’s Samy Z., who also served as the project coordinator.
A bold initiative by Luis Madruga, Iván Campos-Guereta Díez, Ángel Martín de la Sierra López Romero, and David Cuenca-Velázquez centered around creating a digital twin of the Dañador Dam. This team was mentored by experts from Ayesa—Fidel San Emeterio, Carlos Rodríguez, and Luis Castillo Cano-Cortés—with academic coordination provided by Miguel Ángel Toledo Municio and Eduardo Salete from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
Alberto Navas and Iván Revilla Hernández took on the ambitious task of designing a digital twin for a bike-sharing service, using artificial intelligence to optimize operations. Their work was mentored by Nommon’s Javier Burrieza Galán and Oliva Garcia Cantu Ros, and coordinated by Natalia Sobrino Vázquez (UPM) and Juan Benavente Ponce (Universidad de Cantabria).
Rounding off the presentations, Antía Fernández and Pachi Cartelle developed a predictive model for mass events. This capstone was supported by Nommon’s Javier Burrieza and Rodrigo Vázquez from INECO, and coordinated by Javier Vaca of Caminos – UPM.
The event also featured a compelling roundtable discussion moderated by EELISA Executive Director Sofía d’Aguiar. Titled “The Digital Revolution in Civil Engineering: What Skills Are Needed?”, the discussion brought together distinguished voices in the field: Fernando García Molina (UPM), Isabel Rosa (Altametris), Cristian Dumitru Tranca (POLITEHNICA Bucharest), Mathieu Arquier (ENPC), Tamás Lovas (BME), and Birgul Çolakoglu (ITÜ). Their insights delved into the evolving skill sets demanded by the digital revolution in civil engineering, providing a thought-provoking conclusion to an already impactful event.
The two-day gathering not only celebrated the academic achievements of these pioneering students but also underscored the profound changes that digital twins and related technologies are set to bring to civil engineering, marking a milestone in the future of the industry.
“As an Alliance, EELISA takes great pride in its members for bringing such a significant Master’s program to life. Throughout the graduation ceremony, and especially during the roundtable discussions held for the occasion, I witnessed a paradigm shift in education: how both academics and participants of the program have learned together while contributing to a better world. This embodies the essence of what EELISA is all about” . Sofía d’Aguiar. EELISA Executive Director.
A DEEP COLLABORATION TOWARDS A NEW ERA IN DIGITAL ENGINEERING.
The event reached new heights with speeches from Anthony Briant, Director of the École des Ponts ParisTech, and José Miguel Atienza, Director of the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos at UPM. Their words underscored the deep collaboration between these two world-renowned institutions, celebrating the shared vision that has fueled the success of this pioneering programme.
As the applause echoed through the hall, the much-anticipated diploma ceremony followed, a moment of triumph for the graduating students whose dedication and hard work culminated in this grand occasion. Among the distinguished graduates, Antía Fernández stood out, earning the title of top student for this inaugural edition—a recognition of her exceptional achievements.
“The ceremony was a celebration of our collective achievements—our growth, collaboration, and the innovative spirit that has guided us throughout this program (…). I am deeply grateful to our professors, mentors, and classmates for making this journey so memorable. As the first cohort, this ceremony feels like a pivotal moment—a hinge between our shared journey and the exciting future ahead in digital twins.”, Antía Fernández, Valedictorian for the class of 2023-2024.
“We are shaping the first academic community in the field of Digital Twins, which is truly exciting. After a wonderful and challenging year, it’s incredible to see the opportunities that lie ahead.”, Víctor Aparici Godoy, Class Delegate for 2023-2024
LOOKING AT THE FUTURE AHEAD
As it enters its second edition, the Digital Twins Executive Master stands as the first-ever joint master’s programme launched jointly by EELISA partners. Designed to equip professionals with cutting-edge skills in digital twin technologies, this program focuses on revolutionizing urban and infrastructure management. Over the course of several transformative months, the students immersed themselves in a rigorous curriculum that blended academic excellence with real-world industry insights.
Through close collaboration with leading experts, participants tackled some of the most pressing challenges in their fields. These challenges came to life in the form of innovative capstone projects, showcasing their ability to bridge theory and practice in ways that push the boundaries of what digital twins can achieve. This pioneering program exemplifies how the power of collaboration and advanced technology can redefine the future of engineering and infrastructure management.
“As we prepare for the next edition, we look forward to building on this foundation. The second cohort is more global, diverse, and gender-balanced, promising richer perspectives and innovative approaches. This diversity will enhance the collaborative spirit crucial for shaping the future of digital twin technologies and creating smarter and more resilient cities.” Mathieu Arquier, director of Executive Master in Digital Twins Insfrastructure & Cities.