We live in unprecedented times. Amidst a rapidly shifting economic, political and environmental landscape, the only guarantee is uncertainty. The tremors of this hard-hitting reality are especially felt in today’s workforce. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, approximately 39% of workers’ core skills will change, with 92 million existing roles slated to be displaced by 2030.
That is a staggering rate of change.
As AI continues to advance, driving the evolution of quantum computing and sustainable technologies beyond novelty status, today’s students must quickly upskill to meet the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution or risk falling behind. This is especially crucial for those seeking to enter the engineering industry. In an industry white paper published by ByteSnap Design, 62% of engineering professionals responded that they believed AI will automate technical routine tasks in their jobs. This means that future jobs will place less value on theoretical knowledge in favor of skills such as systems thinking.
So, how can educators and students prepare to thrive in an increasingly complex and unpredictable world?
By participating in opportunities that foster systems thinking and real-world skill application. And competitions provide an excellent platform for this purpose.
Enter MODSIM MANIA. Launched in 2024, this worldwide online contest gives students free access to best-in-class enterprise software to sharpen their skills. More than just a passion project, this contest allows participants to earn certificates that validate their expertise and differentiate them in a competitive job market.
What is MODSIM?
MODSIM, a fusion of modeling and simulation, enables users to bring their ideas to life. Imagine a virtual workspace with all the tools and materials you need, plus a memory bank that’s able to replicate design elements so you only have to create them once. That’s the magic of creating on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Think Minecraft, but better. What you make virtually is an exact replica of how it would appear in real life, ready to be brought to life. Because MODSIM is powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud, it can be used in conjunction with other brand solutions like CATIA, SOLIDWORKS and SIMULIA. This ability to combine various tools in one environment unlocks even greater possibilities for design.
And the efficiency improvements of an amalgamated solution? They are significant.
MODSIM on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform reduces development time by up to 90%, reducing month-long runways to just a matter of weeks. Say goodbye to disconnected legacy systems and hello to digital transformation. Instead of wasting time exporting and converting models for simulation, MODSIM frees users to direct their attention to value-adding work.
Experience-based education with MODSIM MANIA
MODSIM MANIA is a 100% digital student competition series. Think of the contest as a bridge between simulation innovations within the engineering industry and the workforce of tomorrow. Spearheaded by the 3DEXPERIENCE Edu Team, the MODSIM MANIA initiative introduces students to Dassault Systèmes’ cutting-edge simulation tools and guides them toward their full potential.
In the second edition of the competition this year, participants were given a problem statement of designing a tablet stand that demonstrates an understanding of parametric design. Students were encouraged to use simulation evaluations to inform their design decisions. The final product included a written analysis of their design process with pictures of their simulations attached.
By designing on a best-in-industry platform, student participants set themselves up to be future-ready.
Team collaboration is another key skill MODSIM MANIA intentionally cultivates. With the competition hosted on the 3DEXPERIENCE Student Community, participants are able to get in touch with their fellow peers and bounce ideas off each other. Stuck on a design issue? No need to fret! The Student Community gives students access to seasoned engineers at Dassault Systèmes who are happy to extend a helping hand.
“The same learning content we provide industry professionals is being taught to the students. There are only minute differences in how these courses are structured. We’re giving students a platform to learn exactly what’s happening in the industry. Our educational experiences are bridging the gap, bringing students closer to real-world industry practices. By the time they join the workforce, they’re already acclimated to how industry processes operate.”
Debaditya Chakraborty
3DEXPERIENCE EDU Industry Process Consultant at Dassault Systèmes
MODSIM MANIA 2.0 attracted significant participation, with 668 students registering from 36 countries and 224 attendees representing 23 different countries attending the competition webinar.
With a given timeline of just one month to create their final product, the challenge was on.
MODSIM MANIA 2.0 winners and their work
The bar was raised, but the students met it.
“Participating in MODSIM MANIA was a transformative challenge that pushed my engineering skills to new levels,” said Jerry Imanol Cortes Martinez, one of three MODSIM MANIA 2.0 winners. “Coming in with basic simulation knowledge, I quickly had to master advanced FEA (Finite Element Analysis) techniques to optimize my designs.”
Using CATIA and SIMULIA solutions on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, Martinez simulated numerous variations to efficiently narrow down to an optimal prototype design. Outfitted with ergonomic grips, the final product was a testament to Martinez’s creativity in action. More than merely testing for engineering know-how, MODSIM MANIA 2.0 gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on design thinking experience.
“The competition’s real-world problem-solving approach forced me to think beyond textbook solutions and consider practical constraints,” Martinez said. “I’ll never forget the moment my final model passed all stress tests – the months of late-night troubleshooting suddenly felt worth it. More than just a competition, MODSIM MANIA proved how powerful simulation tools can be when combined with creative engineering thinking.”
A Blast from the Past: MODSIM MANIA 1.0 revisited
In the first edition of MODSIM MANIA, students faced an exciting challenge: design a brake pedal that maximized stiffness while reducing weight. Armed with data from their calculations and simulation recordings to support their design decisions, participants submitted their entries for judging.
One standout entry came from Sumit Sarkar, who used SOLIDWORKS and MODSIM in SIMULIA to optimize his design. Reflecting on the experience, Sarkar shared how participating in the competition “enhanced my design skills using SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS simulation to optimize efficiency and strength. It reinforced the importance of integrating modeling with simulation for real-world engineering challenges.”
The result? A professional-level model simulation created by a student. Sarkar didn’t just win the competition; the experience he gained set him up to win in the workforce of the future.
Entering the workforce of the future
For students seeking to break into the engineering industry, having practical experiences that speak to their ability to think creatively will be a key differentiator in a tough job market.
Chakraborty highlighted how evolving technology has significantly transformed the engineering landscape and the skills in demand.
“Five to 10 years ago, having CAD skills would be something that a lot of people would appreciate if you were pursuing engineering as a career,” he said. “If you knew CATIA well, that would guarantee a very good employment opportunity in the job market. But these days, having CAD knowledge is basic. And now with AI and machine learning on the rise, the benchmark is set even higher.”
In a world of complexity, the ability to apply systems thinking to simplify and connect solutions is critical. Competitions like MODSIM MANIA are designed with that purpose in mind, alongside the intention of preparing students to hone their skills on platforms they will most likely use in their future jobs.
“We are providing students an opportunity to experience what industry leaders face in the real world. Through this competition, participants learn how to develop a product from scratch, turning it into a physical prototype. They can test it out and then correlate their virtual simulations with the real product,” Chakraborty added, “We’ve seen some competition participants manufacture their designs and test it in real life, leading many of them to get hired here at Dassault Systèmes. Alongside that, having a Dassault Systèmes’ certification speaks to their capabilities and boosts their resume when they apply for jobs outside, especially for companies who already are using our products.”
By participating in MODSIM MANIA competitions, students increase their confidence in being able to problem solve effectively and take on future challenges that they may face. It sets them up for future success.
“The experience (MODSIM MANIA) gave me confidence in my technical abilities and a clearer vision for my future in computational engineering,” Martinez affirmed. “I’m walking away with enhanced skills, valuable connections and motivation to keep pushing boundaries.”
Related Articles
Elizabeth Koh