With over 25 years in the global AEC industry, Roy Aniruddha has been a driving force in advancing BIM and VDC adoption worldwide. As the Founder and Chairman of TechnoStruct Academy, he has bridged the gap between technology and talent, empowering professionals in over 50 countries. In this exclusive chat with Education Edge Global, Roy shares insights on India’s BIM journey, the rise of hybrid learning, and how AI, cloud collaboration, and digital twins are reshaping the future of construction.
You have been instrumental in revolutionizing BIM adoption globally. Could you share how your journey in the AEC sector began and what inspired you to establish TechnoStruct Academy?
My professional journey in the AEC industry began over twenty-five years ago. I was working with the global organizations to explore new design and engineering technologies and specialized in BIM/VDC methodologies. As I worked across the world, I identified that there was a gap between the advanced technology we had and how much the teams using these advanced tools and technologies were lacking in the skills and basic practical knowledge to use them. That gap often slowed projects down and limited innovation in the field of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction. And to bridge this gap, I thought of setting up TechnoStruct Academy (a patent firm of TechnoStruct LLC), as a place that delivers BIM and VDC solutions with real-time and practical knowledge, and not just focuses on typical theories and formulas. But as the business grew, it became evident that training the next generation was equally important. That vision gave birth to TechnoStruct Academy, an institution built to transform raw talent into industry-ready professionals around the world.
BIM has been widely adopted in countries like the US and parts of Europe. Where do you see India on this adoption curve, and what steps are needed to accelerate its integration here?
India in the BIM sector is still in its growing phase, as compared to developed countries like the USA and Europe. But BIM will evolve in India in large-scale infrastructure projects such as airports, highways, and other infrastructure-related projects. For India to catch up with countries like the US or the UK, we need a collective push. First, we need to create more awareness about this sector, and as the BIM industry is well recognised, decision-makers still need a clear understanding of its value. Second, policy intervention and government mandates can encourage adoption across public projects. Third, universities should integrate BIM into engineering and architecture courses to prepare students early. And most importantly, continuous upskilling of professionals through training programs will ensure that the ecosystem matures quickly. These combined steps will accelerate BIM’s acceptance across the country.
How are BIM and Virtual Design & Construction transforming traditional workflows in architecture, engineering, and construction?
BIM and VDC are changing the way they used to deliver projects lately. The traditional process was fragmented as architects, engineers, and contractors worked separately and relied on 2D blueprints. This led to disconnectedness among the team, costly revisions, and delays. With BIM, however, all disciplines come together on a single digital platform where issues are detected and resolved before construction begins. VDC extends this by connecting models to timelines and budgets, enabling teams to virtually build and analyze projects in advance. This proactive approach saves time, reduces waste, improves coordination, and is data-driven. What once required guesswork is now guided by data, making the entire workflow far more predictable and efficient.
TechnoStruct Academy has empowered students in more than 50 countries. How does your academy bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry practice?
Our motive with the launch of TechnoStruct Academy was to help students who were graduating with theoretical knowledge but lacked practical skills to handle real projects. At TechnoStruct Academy, we ensure to maintain the gap between the theory and the practical world knowledge by integrating industry exposure right into the learning process. Learners engage with live assignments drawn from ongoing projects, which gives them a sense of the complexities they will face in practical life. Our trainers are industry professionals who bring real experiences into the classroom, making the sessions relevant and up to date. In addition, our curriculum is regularly aligned with global standards, so students are not just trained for local jobs but for opportunities worldwide. This combination of academic structure and industry immersion is what makes the Academy effective.
In your opinion, how crucial is integrating real-time projects into BIM education to make students truly industry-ready?
I think that integrating real-time projects is important, not just for BIM, but in every field to build practical skills in the students so that they can work more impactfully. On the other hand, BIM education cannot be complete if it only revolves around classrooms, software training, and theory. Students need to experience the challenges that professionals face every day, such as incomplete data, client-driven changes, and meeting tight deadlines. Real-time projects expose them to this environment in an authentic way because, through these projects, they learn how to think critically, adapt to unexpected situations, and communicate with teams effectively to work fast and achieve good results. Employers often look for graduates who can contribute from day one, and to make it happen, project-based learning provides exactly that. Without such exposure, students might know the names of the tools, but they won’t be able to build the mindset required for real-world success. That’s why real-time integration is so important.
With the rise of online education, how is BIM training evolving in the digital space?
The shift from traditional to online education is not a barrier in BIM training, as online platforms today are far more advanced than simple recorded tutorials. The interactive sessions on the platform allow learners to participate in the sessions, collaborate in real time on shared models, and even access cloud-based labs to practice without heavy hardware required. This has made BIM training flexible and scalable, and the best part it allows us to reach students globally without compromising quality. At our Academy, for instance, we combine interactive sessions, case-based exercises, and cloud platforms so students experience teamwork virtually, just like they would in a professional office setting. The result is a learning process that is both global and accessible, while still being highly practical and industry-focused.
Do you believe online platforms can deliver the same depth of understanding as in-person, hands-on training for such technical subjects?
I think yes, the evolution isn’t bad, but it depends on how the program is designed. If online education only means watching videos and no live interactions, no doubt sessions, then no, it will always fall short and will lack in providing good training. Because when students engage in interactive sessions, work in real time, and receive continuous feedback from mentors, the experience becomes very close to classroom training. In fact, online platforms sometimes offer added advantages like flexibility of time and exposure to interacting and engaging with international peers. Of course, certain elements, like site visits in real time, are best experienced in person. That’s why I see the future in hybrid learning models, where the strengths of online and in-person methods come together to give the best results.
Where do you see the role of AI, cloud collaboration, and digital twins in the next wave of BIM and VDC innovation?
As I see, the role of AI is increasing in our professional lives, as almost every sector today is getting help with it. The next phase of digital construction will be driven by these three innovations. Artificial Intelligence will support automation and decision-making, from suggesting design alternatives to predicting project risks. Cloud collaboration, on the other hand, will make teamwork seamless, enabling architects, engineers, and contractors to work on the same model simultaneously, regardless of their location. Digital twins will transform the way we manage buildings after they are built, creating a live model that reflects real-time conditions through sensor data. This will allow owners to predict maintenance needs, improve efficiency, and extend the life of assets. Together, AI, cloud platforms, and digital twins will make BIM not just a design tool, but the backbone of an asset’s entire lifecycle.
What advice would you give to young engineering and architecture professionals who aspire to build careers in BIM and digital construction?
For young professionals who see BIM and digital construction as career opportunities, my suggestion would be to see BIM not just as software, but as a pathway to long-term growth in the AEC industry. Begin by strengthening your base in your chosen field, whether architecture, civil engineering, or MEP, and then build BIM skills around it. What really makes the difference is applying those skills on real projects, because practical exposure teaches you far more than theory. Stay curious about new tools, connect with industry experts, try to visit sites, and participate in global BIM networks. This field values teamwork and flexibility, so focus on problem-solving and collaboration. With the right training and openness to learning, you can truly stand out in this journey of digital construction.
How do you envision TechnoStruct Academy’s role in shaping the next decade of construction education globally?
TechnoStruct Academy is evolving into a global hub for BIM and digital construction education. In the upcoming years, our role will be to ensure that professionals everywhere, not just in developed countries, but also in developing countries, have access to high-quality BIM and VDC training. We aim to deepen our partnerships with universities and industry associations so that BIM education becomes an integral part of engineering and architecture studies worldwide. We are also investing in technologies like simulation labs, AI-driven personalized learning, and digital twin-based training modules. By doing so, we want to ensure our learners remain at the forefront of innovation. Ultimately, our mission is to create a generation of professionals who can lead the digital transformation of construction on a global scale.
