RICS Tech Partners join forces to focus on #NextGen & Digital Twins!

The motto of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is

"Est modus in rebus" _ ("there is measure in all things")

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE via X

First hand appreciation is sent to Ashleigh (Monagle) Rastall, for the kind invitation last year to discuss with and present to the Infrastructure Client Group ‘ICG’ Data and Digital Task Group. Fortunately for us at the DTSA, not only was it Black History Month, but that is where our founder & President (Dr Bola) met John Ryan, Co-Founder of SymTerra, who also pitched to the ICG on the day.

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE

Since that meeting of minds, fast approaching a year ago, both John and our founder, Dr Bola, have discussed at length the ambitions and core mission of the DTSA, which is completely aligned to the CSR strategy of SymTerra.

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE / SymTerra & DTSA

The breadth and depth of digital tools available is and can be overwhelming, but when an easy to use solution presents itself, our founder always takes note ........

It was several months later, that a final negotiation / by way of an introductory conversation, was held between Dr Bola and Sara Crawley, Co-Founder and Natalie Fusaro, both of SymTerra.

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE / SymTerra & DTSA

With a clear alignment to both the Golden Thread and our current industry initiative #Project IIRIS, it was time to commit and mobilise, ahead of our September start!!

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE / SymTerra & DTSA

With a commitment to meet at the London HQ and 'global' home of the Surveying profession ........ our ceremonial milestone was scheduled to tak place in July 2026, yes earlier this month!!

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE / SymTerra & DTSA

.......... such a wonderful, heartfelt gift was shared between the founders .......... thank you Sarah!

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE / SymTerra & DTSA

............ it's time to get back on site ........... and help site based personnel to capture their workflow, and feed that into the 'projects' Golden Thread, ultimately the foundation layer of any federated, 5D digital twin solution (curated and maintained by AI-QS an RICS Tech Partner).

Credit: SymTerra

The Building Safety Regulator is steadily progressing their internal structures, frameworks and intrinsic workflows, and with our keen and knowledgeable awareness of their intentions and overarching regulatory framework, we are charting a positive solution to the industry's current and most prominent 'well documented' pain point: "what does the Golden Thread, actually look like?"

Credit: SymTerra

and then it happened _ in the Elizabeth Room, Members Lounge, Surveyors House - the handshake, that is destined to 'educate and empower' the next generation of college students and undergrads, right across the DTSA footprint of commercial activity.

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE / SymTerra & DTSA

........ so the formality of the 'golden handshake' was officially met with an informal "high-five" between two, forward thinking, passionate, construction industry leaders ........

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE / SymTerra & DTSA

“At the Digital Twin Skills Academy ‘DTSA’, since April 2023, we’ve been ready to (1) educate, empower and equip young people (16-25yrs) with the digital twin skills required and (2) champion (and help clients / asset owners to deliver) the key output arising from the Phase 2 - Grenfell Tower Inquiry; namely the Golden Thread ‘GT’. For us, achieving compliance, in a sustainable manner, along with the desired GT outcome is more than just a legal requirement, it’s bordering on a cultural paradigm shift in the making. And everyone, irrespective of their position, has a critical role to play.

The ability to deploy ‘simple to use and easy to understand’ digital tools and workflows is half the battle for consistency – such that technology will continue to play a key and pivotal role. At the DTSA, that means greater levels of competence embedded across the value chain and a unique opportunity, for the U.K. construction industry to shape the future. Our groundbreaking and market shaping partnership with SymTerra is our attempt to also drive and deliver change at ‘grassroots’ and more importantly, site level.

Moreover, linking the Golden Thread, to ‘more favourable’ insurance premiums, which is the sole focus of #ProjectIIRIS - an industry initiative that has now secured wide industry engagement and growing support - is our next big goal; so watch this space!”

_ Dr Bola Abisogun OBE

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE / SymTerra & DTSA

Along with another industry ally, and fellow RICS Tech Partner, Harry Yates, CEO from BuildPrompt, we are now ready for the next semester, starting September 2026!!

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE / SymTerra and BuildPrompt _ via Instagram

so all that remained was the 'technology-specification' which was satisfactorily concluded today (31.07.26) ........... (finally) we have lift off !!

........ we are ready to service the Gloucester College community; here's to another historic milestone in the journey of the DTSA .