By Asst. Prof. Dee Balestramon Lucena

The “SOIL: Strong Foundations, Smarter Infrastructure” workshop, conducted by the University of the Philippines Visayas–Regional Research Center (UPV-RRC) in collaboration with Central Philippine University (CPU), was held on May 14, 2026, as part of the ongoing engagements under the DOST–GIA-funded Project GEO-DYNAMIX.

The University of the Philippines Visayas – Regional Research Center (UPV-RRC), in collaboration with Central Philippine University (CPU), conducted the workshop titled “SOIL: Strong Foundations, Smarter Infrastructure” on May 14, 2026. The workshop formed part of the ongoing engagements under Project GEO-DYNAMIX, a DOST–GIA funded project implemented by CPU.

The workshop featured Engr. Jebie A. Balagosa, PhD, DOST–PCIEERD Balik Scientist Awardee, Professor at CPU, and Project Leader of Project GEO-DYNAMIX, as resource speaker. His session highlighted fundamental concepts in soil as an engineering material, including soil strength, compaction and density, geotechnical challenges in the Philippines, and sustainable approaches in infrastructure design.

The event fostered collaborative learning among students, faculty members, researchers, and partner institutions through discussions on sustainable and resilient infrastructure practices.

Participants included students from CPU’s Civil Engineering and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering programs, GEO-DYNAMIX project team members, and faculty and students from various institutions including UPV, West Visayas State University (WVSU), and Western Institute of Technology (WIT), promoting interdisciplinary learning and academic exchange.

The afternoon session featured laboratory and facility visits to the Materials Science and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MSNL), the Multi-species Hatchery Complex, and the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (UPV-NIMBB), providing participants with exposure to research facilities and scientific initiatives supporting regional innovation and development.

The workshop reflects the continuing collaboration between CPU and UPV in advancing research capacity building, knowledge exchange, and innovation-driven education through initiatives under Project GEO-DYNAMIX.