By The Centralian Link
Congratulations, Samira Najwa F. Laud, on serving as National Chairperson of the Junior Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers for AY 2026–2027! Your passion for leadership and service continues to inspire the CPU community, as you carry the Centralian spirit beyond the university and into the wider chemical engineering community. We are proud of you and excited to see the meaningful difference you make in this new chapter!
Some people take Chemical Engineering because they love chemistry. Others discover that somewhere between the equations, sleepless nights, and the occasional questioning of life choices, they find something more—a reason to keep learning, a community to grow with, and a purpose beyond the classroom.
For Samira Najwa F. Laud, a 4th-year Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering student of Central Philippine University (CPU), the journey has been a little bit of all that. And now, as the newly elected National Chairperson of the Junior Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (JPIChE) for Academic Year 2026–2027, it has also become a journey of bringing people together and finding ways to make a difference.
A journey that started with curiosity.
Laud graduated from St. Anthony’s College in 2022-2023. Today, she is in her fourth year of Chemical Engineering at CPU, entering the final stretch of a degree that has challenged her in more ways than one.
When asked why she chose chemical engineering, the answer goes beyond simply enjoying chemistry.
She was drawn to the way the field combines science, mathematics, and problem-solving to create something useful. Chemical engineering is not just about chemicals; it is about understanding how things work, improving processes, and finding solutions to real-world problems.
And perhaps that is what makes the field interesting to her. There is always something to figure out, something to improve, and, occasionally, something that makes you wonder why you chose this course in the first place.
But beyond the technical side of the profession, her experiences as a student have also opened doors to leadership, service, and opportunities to work with people who share the same passion for Chemical Engineering.
From serving to leading.
In 2026, Laud took on a new chapter in her leadership journey when she was elected National Chairperson of JPIChE for AY 2026–2027.
JPIChE brings together chemical engineering students from different higher education institutions across the country. Fornier her, being entrusted with a national leadership role is not simply about holding a position. It is about being part of something bigger than one university, one chapter, or one person.
Her experience in the organization has given her opportunities to work with different people, understand the realities of student leadership, and appreciate the importance of having a community that supports its members.
Leadership, after all, is not always as polished as it looks on paper. There are plans to make, people to coordinate with, and moments when everything seems to happen at once but somewhere in the middle of all that, there is also the opportunity to learn, serve, and help others grow.
Looking beyond the usual.
For JPIChE, the direction for the coming term is centered on building a stronger and more connected community for future chemical engineers.
The organization aims to continue providing meaningful opportunities for students through learning, leadership development, career preparation, and professional growth. It also hopes to strengthen connections among its chapters and create a wider sense of community across different universities.
Part of this vision is making JPIChE more accessible and valuable to its members—not only through programs and activities, but also by strengthening the systems that allow the organization to serve more effectively.
There is also a growing emphasis on developing student leaders and looking after the people behind the organization. Through leadership development, officer support, and opportunities for growth, JPIChE hopes to help its members become more capable and confident in taking on responsibilities.
Beyond the student community, the organization also seeks to strengthen its partnerships with PIChE, industry, academe, and other stakeholders. These connections can help bridge the gap between the student experience and the professional world that future Chemical Engineers are preparing to enter.
At its core, the goal is simple: to make JPIChE a community where students can connect, learn, lead, and find opportunities to grow—regardless of where they come from.
Nevertheless, this is more than the title.
For Laud, leadership is not just about being the person at the front of the room. It is also about the people beside her, the lessons learned along the way, and the responsibility that comes with being given the chance to serve.
Her journey in chemical engineering and JPIChE continues to remind her that growth does not always happen in the most comfortable places. Sometimes, it happens in classrooms, in meetings, in late-night conversations, and in the moments when one chooses to keep showing up.
As she moves closer to completing her degree and continues her term as National Chairperson, one thing remains clear: the journey is still unfolding.
And whether it is through a process design, a leadership decision, or simply helping another student find their footing, she hopes to keep doing what she has always tried to do—make something meaningful out of the opportunities entrusted to her.
Because in chemical engineering, as in life, the work is never just about the final product. It is also about the process, the people, and what can be built along the way.