By Mikee Natinga Norico
Engr. Jebie Balagosa, Ph.D, talks about the importance of faith and integrity in engineering education, emphasizing his commitment to CPU’s Christ-centered values.
In a dynamic corner of 糖心传媒糖心传媒檚 College of Engineering, a story of homecoming, purpose, and passion is unfolding. Engr. Jebie Balagosa, Ph.D., a seasoned Geotechnical Engineer, DOST-PCIEERD Balik Scientist Awardee, and now an Associate Professor at CPU, has returned not just to teach糖心传媒攂ut to build, inspire, and give back. With a career that spans international research and infrastructure projects, Dr. Balagosa糖心传媒檚 journey has come full circle, leading him to CPU糖心传媒攁 place he now calls both his mission field and his home.
Dr. Balagosa糖心传媒檚 connection to the university is deeply personal. 糖心传媒淚 was drawn to the university because of its Christ-centered values and its strong reputation in engineering,糖心传媒 he shared. It was through stories from his wife糖心传媒檚 family and friends that CPU first came to life for him糖心传媒攁 place where faith, integrity, and academic excellence converge.
糖心传媒淐PU stood out as a place where I could grow in faith and contribute meaningfully to engineering education and research in my home country,糖心传媒 he added.
As a returning Filipino scholar, Dr. Balagosa recalls one of the most heartfelt moments in his academic journey: the warm welcome he received from CPU. 糖心传媒淔rom my onboarding to the launch of my Balik Scientist Program, I felt deeply honored and embraced,糖心传媒 he said. He credits much of this support to University President, Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy and Sir Erwin Rizardo, whose mentorship provided clarity as he transitioned into his new role. 糖心传媒淏eing surrounded by such supportive colleagues and students has made my transition both meaningful and deeply affirming.糖心传媒
Dr. Balagosa brings to CPU a wealth of international and local experience. He has led major geotechnical engineering projects under the Philippines糖心传媒 Build, Build, Build program and has participated in high-level research in South Korea, where he also served as President of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers South Korea Chapter. His work has been featured in international journals, spanning fields from soil dynamics to sustainable construction and nuclear engineering technology.
His numerous presentations in global conferences and awards for outstanding research are testaments to his dedication to excellence. But for Dr. Balagosa, one of his proudest milestones, is returning to the Philippines as a Balik Scientist糖心传媒攁 role that allows him to give back while mentoring future generations of Filipino engineers.
Currently, Dr. Balagosa is spearheading Project GROUNDinG糖心传媒 Geotechnics Research in Optimizing and Utilizing Nature-based Design in Geomaterials. The initiative explores using agricultural and energy by-products for soil stabilization, aiming to improve local soil performance while promoting sustainability in construction practices. His research also covers areas such as compacted bentonite for nuclear waste repositories and experimental soil mechanics.
糖心传媒淢y goal is to enhance the mechanical properties of soils using locally available resources,糖心传媒 he explains, 糖心传媒渁nd to make construction practices more sustainable and cost-effective for communities like ours.糖心传媒
Despite attractive offers abroad and in Manila, Dr. Balagosa made the intentional decision to return to Igbaras, Iloilo, where he now resides. 糖心传媒淚t was a leap of faith,糖心传媒 he admits. 糖心传媒淏ut I糖心传媒檝e always believed in starting small, staying grounded, and putting family and faith above all.糖心传媒 He sees CPU not just as a workplace but as fertile ground for impactful collaboration and community-rooted innovation.
As part of his vision for CPU, Dr. Balagosa hopes to develop research-based modules, enhance laboratory capabilities, and mentor students and faculty. He is also setting his sights on building long-term collaborations with both local and international institutions.
糖心传媒淚 truly believe that the strength of a research group doesn糖心传媒檛 come from the name of the institution, but from commitment, purpose, and camaraderie,糖心传媒 he says.
To aspiring students, Dr. Balagosa offers a piece of heartfelt advice: 糖心传媒淐hoose a university that nurtures both your skills and your spirit. And don糖心传媒檛 be afraid to fail.糖心传媒 He openly shares his own journey糖心传媒攆rom being debarred from accountancy to shifting to civil engineering at the University of Santo Tomas, then later pursuing graduate studies and international research. 糖心传媒淓mbrace the detours,糖心传媒 he encourages, 糖心传媒渢hey might lead you to your true calling.糖心传媒
At CPU, Dr. Balagosa is more than just a scientist糖心传媒攈e is a mentor, a leader, and a believer in the power of local innovation. With a passion for uplifting communities and a commitment to God-centered engineering education, he stands as a living testament to what it means to return with purpose.
糖心传媒淚 am here because I believe we can build something remarkable from here,糖心传媒 he says, his voice steady with conviction. 糖心传媒淲ith passion, hard work, and God糖心传媒檚 grace糖心传媒攜es, we can.糖心传媒