LSU Launches America’s First Industry-Backed Digital Twin Certificate

10 January 2026
Construction Focus
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Louisiana State University (LSU) has announced the launch of the nation’s first Digital Twin Design and Production Certificate, a landmark educational program co-developed with industry leaders, including Bentley Systems.

The online initiative aims to bridge the growing skills gap in “digital twin” technology—a field that has become essential to the design, construction, and operation of global infrastructure.

Digital twins—virtual, real-time replicas of physical assets—are no longer futuristic concepts; they are core tools used to simulate performance, monitor structural health, and integrate AI into engineering workflows.

Recognizing that formal training has lagged behind rapid industry adoption, LSU partnered with Bentley Systems and consultancy DigiTwin Global to create a curriculum rooted in practical application.

The program offers several key advantages for students and professionals:

Hands-on Software Experience: Participants gain direct experience using Bentley’s commercial software platforms, the same tools used to manage large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects worldwide.

Comprehensive Curriculum: The seven-course program covers the entire lifecycle of a digital twin, from data integration and risk assessment to legal considerations like data governance and intellectual property.

Accessible Learning: Designed for both engineers and business executives, the certificate requires no prior coding experience, focusing instead on strategic decision-making and execution.

The importance of this technology is already visible in Louisiana. Local engineering firm Forte & Tablada recently earned Founders Honors at Bentley’s Year in Infrastructure Awards for creating a digital twin of the 17th Street Canal Pump Station—a critical asset in defending New Orleans against catastrophic flooding.

“The engineers and business leaders of tomorrow need digital twin skills today,” said Vicki Colvin, Dean of LSU’s College of Engineering. “Understanding how these systems are built and used is no longer optional.”

The launch of this certificate is part of a broader “education pipeline” at LSU. The university is currently exploring the development of a full Bachelor’s degree focused on digital twin technology. This move ensures that the next generation of the workforce is prepared to manage the increasingly complex and data-driven infrastructure the world depends on.

*LSU students gather sensor data from a model of the Mississippi River which can be used with a digital twin to simulate and track flooding conditions.*

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