DLSU MSCE student received the Best Paper Award at the 6th International Conference on Aquatic Science & Technology (i-CoAST 2025) in Bangkok, Thailand

 The 6^th International Conference on Aquatic Science & Technology (i-CoAST 2025) was held from August 26 to 29, 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand – marking the first time that it was held outside of Korea. The organizing committee included several chairpersons from prominent institutions such as the Hydro-Informatics Institute, Korea Rural Community Corporation, and Sungkyunkwan University. The event brought together around 150 participants from more than 11 countries, aiming to strengthen collaboration among academia, industry, and government organizations. Key thematic sessions included topics such as Impact Assessment of Coastal Flooding, Salinity Intrusion, Marine Radioactive Contamination and Coastal Infrastructure Safety, Marine Renewable Energy, Establishment and Utilization of Marine Spatial Data with Special Sessions on Beach Erosion Management, Ocean and Coastal Digital Twin Technology, Sustainable Ocean Economy and Data-Driven Policy, Beach and Coastal Safety, Leisure and Tourism.

Engr. Christian James Aquino (MSCE student) presented his study and received the “Best Paper Award” for his paper titled “Effects of Sea Level Rise on the Wave Overtopping Performance of an Existing Breakwater”. The paper is co-authored by his adviser Dr. Mario De Leon from the Department of Civil Engineering.

Engr. Christian James Aquino (left), MSCE student, receives the Best Paper Award for his study “Effects of Sea Level Rise on the Wave Overtopping Performance of an Existing Breakwater.”

DLSU Faculty Wins Best Paper Presentation at the International Conference on Engineering Education 2025

The International Conference on Engineering Education (ICEE-Phil 2025) is an annual gathering of engineering educators in the Philippines and neighboring regions aimed at sharing knowledge and best practices, building networks, discussing policies, and advancing engineering education in the country. Organized by the Philippine Association of Engineering Schools (PAES) since 2015, this year’s conference was hosted by the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, Manila, on September 12–13, 2025.

Prof. Andres Winston Oreta, Prof. Joenel Galupino, and Dr. Erica Elice Uy presented their paper, Exploring the Role of Curriculum in Developing Student Awareness of Civil Engineering’s Impact on Quality of Life: Insights from De La Salle University. The study examined civil engineering students’ awareness and understanding of the discipline’s role in enhancing quality of life through the Civil Engineering–Quality of Life (CE-QOL) Framework, which emphasizes sustainability, public health and safety, infrastructure development, and disaster resilience. Using surveys to assess knowledge and curriculum integration, the findings identified strengths and gaps that can guide curriculum improvements to better prepare future engineers for addressing societal challenges and promoting community well-being.

Dr. Erica Elice Uy delivered the presentation on behalf of the team and was honored with the Best Paper Presentation Award at the conference.

Dr. Erica Elice Uy (center) receives the Best Paper Presentation Award at the International Conference on Engineering Education (ICEE-Phil 2025).

DLSU Faculty Showcase Research Excellence on Sustainable Proactive Advocacies in Civil Engineering (SPACE 2025)

 

Faculty members from the De La Salle University (DLSU) Department of Civil Engineering played a prominent role in the recently concluded 11^th International Conference on Sustainable Proactive Advocacies in Civil Engineering (SPACE 2025), organized by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Makati Chapter, held on August 28–29, 2025 at the Century Park Hotel, Manila.

This year’s SPACE conference carried the theme “Engineering the Future: Vision, Global Perspectives, and Beyond,” and gathered 170 delegates and attendees from academia, industry, and professional organizations. The two-day event served as a venue for exchanging insights on emerging research, sustainable engineering practices, and innovative solutions to civil engineering challenges.

On Day 1, Dr. Mary Ann Q. Adajar, Chair of the DLSU Civil Engineering Department, opened the Geotechnical Engineering session with her presentation on “Performance Evaluation of Treated Coir Geotextiles as Limited-Life Geosynthetics for Sustainable Slope Stabilization.” Later in the afternoon, Engr. Paolo Ian C. Lucero, Assistant Professor and PhD student at KAIST, delivered a talk under the Transportation Engineering session titled “A Review of Road Safety Research in Southeast Asia: Insights from Bibliometric and Thematic Analysis.” In the Structural Engineering session, Dr. Rodolfo P. Mendoza, Jr., Associate Professor, presented his research on “Enhancing the Seismic Performance of Offshore Marine Platforms Using Passive Devices.” He was followed by Engr. Francis G. Domingo, who presented “Future-Proofing Bridge Structures for Dummies: A Plan Guide to Designing Bridges Tough Enough for Tomorrow.”

(Photo from left to right: Dr. Mary Ann Q. Adajar and Dr. Rodolfo P. Mendoza)

                                                  (Engr. Francis G. Domingo)

On Day 2, DLSU’s contributions continued. Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta, Professor of Civil Engineering, co-presented with Engr. Gil Oliver Ayuyao on “Designing for Well-being: Integrated Structural Engineering and Building Assessment through a Quality of Life (QOL) Perspective.” This was followed by Engr. Jomari F. Tan, faculty member, who discussed “Comparative Analysis of the Characteristic Flexural Strength of Unmodified and Modified Dendrocalamus asper Culms,” a study on bamboo’s structural applications.

  

(Photo from left to right: Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta and Engr. Jomari F. Tan)

The active involvement of DLSU faculty across multiple technical sessions highlighted the university’s strong commitment to advancing knowledge in geotechnical, transportation, and structural engineering, while promoting sustainable and resilient solutions for the built environment. Their participation further strengthened DLSU’s role as a leading institution in shaping the future of civil engineering in the Philippines and beyond.

DCE Faculty Pursues a Survey Study on “Alumni Awareness and Perceptions on Civil Engineer’s Role in Quality of Life (QOL)”

 

The paper on “An Exploratory Study of Alumni Awareness and Perceptions on Civil Engineer’s Role in Quality of Life (QOL)”  by DLSU Dept. of Civil Engineering (DCE) faculty, Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta, Dr. Joenel Galupino and Dr. Erica Elise Uy will be presented at the convention and technical workshops hosted by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE). This study explores how civil engineering alumni perceive the discipline’s role in improving quality of life, focusing on its impact on the built and natural environments. Using a Civil Engineering–Quality of Life (CE-QOL) Framework, key areas like sustainability, public health, infrastructure, and disaster resilience were assessed. A survey of De La Salle University BSCE alumni examined their understanding of civil engineering’s societal contributions and the curriculum’s integration of these concepts. Results identify strengths, gaps, and suggest improvements to better prepare graduates to address societal needs and enhance community well-being.

The paper was first presented by Dr. Andres Winston Oreta at the 2025 PICE Midyear National Convention and Technical Conference held on June 25-27, 2025 at the Iloilo City Convention Center.  Dr. Oreta presented in the Track Session on Civil Engineering Education.

After the PICE Midyear National Convention, the various Chapters of PICE will host Regional Technical Conferences (RTC) at their  provinces or cities. The DLSU DCE Faculty were invited to present the paper in the following scheduled RTCs with the corresponding presentor:

·         RTC-III (Bulacan) on August 29, 2025 – Dr. Erica Elise Uy

·         CAR Technical Conference (Benguet) on Sept. 11-12, 2025 – Dr. Joenel Galupino

·         RTC-XI (Davao del Sur) on Sept 18 – 19, 2025 – Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta

·         RTC-VIII (Calbayog, Samar) on Sept. 26-27, 2025 – Dr. Joenel Galupino

·         RTC-VII (Cebu) on Oct 9-10, 2025 – Dr. Erica Elise Uy