The Construction Science and Management (CSM) and Concrete Industry Management (CIM) programmes at Texas State University have entered a partnership with Leica Geosystems (part of Hexagon) to integrate contemporary surveying, layout and reality-capture tools into undergraduate teaching.
Industry-grade equipment for classroom and site learning
Under the agreement, Leica Geosystems will supply and support a range of modern construction technologies to be used in course delivery, including robotic total stations, GNSS receivers, laser scanners and digital layout systems. The aim is to ensure students gain practical familiarity with the equipment and workflows used on modern projects.
“One of the best ways to advance innovation in construction is to ensure students graduate with experience using the technologies that are transforming the industry,” said Anthony Paturzo, vice president and general manager of the GMAT Construction Division, U.S. and Canada, Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon.
University leaders say the arrangement will allow teaching to mirror the digital workflows commonly adopted on construction sites, including integrated positioning, machine control and Building Information Modelling (BIM) interfaces. Those approaches are increasingly central to improving accuracy and delivery on complex builds.
Who benefits and how
The investment will directly affect nearly 1,100 undergraduate students enrolled across TXST’s CSM and CIM courses, according to the university. Staff will be able to draw on industry expertise supplied by Leica to demonstrate real-world applications and best practice.
- Hands-on use of robotic total stations and GNSS technology in teaching and labs
- Training on laser scanning and reality-capture methods for as-built documentation
- Exposure to digital layout solutions and BIM-linked workflows
Programme leaders say the initiative is intended to reduce the gap between education and practice by enabling graduates to join the workforce already comfortable with digital construction tools.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programmes covered | Construction Science & Management (CSM); Concrete Industry Management (CIM) |
| Students affected | ~1,100 undergraduates |
| Technologies provided | Robotic total stations, GNSS, laser scanners, digital layout solutions |
Context and likely consequences
Construction employers have been calling for graduates with greater digital capability as projects adopt automation, precision positioning and model-based delivery. Incorporating these systems into university programmes may shorten employers’ training burden and make entrants productive more quickly.
For students, early exposure to equipment and workflows now common on jobsites could influence employability and the kinds of roles they are offered on graduation. For the university, closer industry ties can aid curriculum relevance and may support future collaborative research and development opportunities.
There are wider policy implications too. As construction becomes more technology-driven, education providers face pressure to refresh content, invest in capital equipment and develop staff expertise. Partnerships with suppliers offer one route to deliver that change at scale without wholly relying on institutional budgets.
TXST’s move reflects a broader shift in technical and vocational higher education towards aligning learning with employer needs. Whether such arrangements become standard practice across construction programmes will depend on institutions’ capacity to manage technological change and on the willingness of industry partners to commit resources to teaching.
For students preparing to enter a rapidly evolving sector, the chance to work with current technologies while still in training represents a clear advantage in a labour market where digital competence is increasingly prized.
