Gil Cruz: Academic Sustainability Leadership Awardee
Head, Office of Environmental Sustainability - Bataan Peninsula State University
Engineer Gil Cruz’s passion for sustainability can be seen even during his years in Bataan Peninsula State University where he co-founded CSI: Earth (Care, Save, Immortalize: Earth). The organization actively works on environmental awareness and education in and around the school campus.
In 2013, after passing the Civil Engineering board exam, he took a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering at the University of the Philippines – Diliman where he saw the significance of advanced research and development to environmental protection. This allowed him to embrace his profession with his enthusiasm for the environment.
In 2018, he started his teaching career in his alma mater – Bataan Peninsula State University – where he extended his mission and utilized the platform he has as an educator. He wanted to impart to the students’ minds the importance of thinking through the consequences of one’s behavior, actions, and decisions on the environment.
Today, with the help of his students, co-researchers, and colleagues, he conducts various research projects and other initiatives to mainstream environmental sustainability. During the pandemic, they had online ideation and pitching events related to environmental engineering. He is also the brainchild of the BPSU Office of Environmental Sustainability which aims to mainstream sustainability and promote climate action in the university.
The most fulfilling part of my work as an educator is seeing my students learning, leading, and serving others for the environment.
Gil envisions the sustainable Philippines as a “… technology-driven and human-centric.” country.
He has been inspired by his thesis adviser and a leader in sustainability, Dr. Ma. Antonia Tanchuling – Director of U.P. Institute of Civil Engineering. She taught him to always amplify his passion for the environment.
To conclude, Engineer Gil advises young leaders, “to keep learning and remember that sharing knowledge is a fundamental act of leadership.”
Connect with Gil on LinkedIn and Facebook
Meet the 8 Leaders in the 1st Sustainability Leadership Awards
Sustainability UNPLUGGED 2021 is the inaugural summit of SustainablePH, Society of Sustainability Practitioners, SustainablePH Youth, and Christian + Collective, where we brought together sustainability champions in all areas into a half-day gathering to unplug and celebrate with the nation’s growing sustainability community.
Edited by: Gift Adore and Johan Chan
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Crisyll Torres
Admin and Partnerships Head of SustainablePH
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