Rocks, pebbles, and impact: Here’s how the ‘boring’ study of geology is saving lives

When you live in a country like Timor-Leste, the study of geology can save lives. 

The field is not just about rocks, as most often assume,  but it’s about what these rocks are and what they can do.

Rocks are made of minerals that have a fixed chemical composition and are made up of regularly aligned rows of atoms.

It’s something most of us have the luxury of not having to think about. But when poor roads make vehicle crashes one of the leading causes of fatalities among your friends, family, and citizens, then you start thinking differently about rocks and the study of geology.

And when your country is also vulnerable to natural hazards — due to its tropical climate, poor multi-hazard early warning system, and inadequate infrastructure — you’ll likely be driven to dedicate your entire career to the study of geology. 

That’s what Oktoviano Viegas Tilman de Jesus, a current PhD candidate in Geology System and Design Engineering, did.

“The study of geology is a way to help improve the country and lead it on its path from becoming an undeveloped to a developed country,” he says. 

The World Bank ranks Timor-Leste as a low-income country, with 42% of its population currently living below the national poverty line.

Poverty and poor road safety conditions are often tied together.

Poor road conditions affect a country’s poorest population, especially women and youth, depriving them of access to education, work, health, and essential services. Add road crashes to the mix, and these vulnerable groups are kept in a vicious cycle of poverty.

Tilman de Jesus plans to change that.

Before pursuing his advanced study of geology, Tilman de Jesus worked for the Institute of Geoscience of Timor-Leste. Source: Oktoviano Viegas Tilman de Jesus

The study of geology and its life-saving impact on Timor-Leste

The study of geology and its sub-discipline, rock mechanics, is often overshadowed by subjects like medicine and law, which are seen as more prestigious and better at change-making.

But without the study of geology, we wouldn’t understand Earth and its processes, which are crucial if we want to solve environmental challenges and natural disasters, such as earthquakes, coastal erosion, flooding, and landslides.

Geologists solve real-world problems like these by examining a wide array of data to understand how the world works.

Without geologists, obtaining the minerals and metals used in many aspects of modern life, including transportation, construction, and technology, would be difficult, if not impossible.

“There are sectors in the world that depend on mining because some of its materials can’t be grown; it has to be mined,” he says. 

“Take our phones and computers, for example; these gadgets are all under the development of mining. Through the study of geology, you’ll understand how it ties together and improves technology worldwide.”

Beyond roads, Tilman de Jesus is well aware of everything else his country lacks and sorely needs: airports, medical facilities, water and sewage systems, disaster prevention measures, and an economy that isn’t too reliant on oil.

In 2017, 90% of the country’s exports were oil and gas, but due to the closing of fields and the COVID-19 pandemic, revenues declined to 70% in 2018 and 65% in 2020.

The study of geology is practical in improving the field and safeguarding it from external shocks like natural disasters.

That’s where professional geologists like Tilman de Jesus come in.

“We have several natural resources such as oil, both onshore and offshore. With the skills I have gained through studying abroad, I can return home and contribute to research and infrastructure development of the field,” he shares.

Tilman de Jesus also plans to use his PhD to provide better data and infrastructure for his country.

The last traffic survey conducted in the country dates back 11 years, making it hard to plan due to the need for more accurate data. 

In addition to contributing to the oil and gas field, through his, Tilman de Jesus aims to help to design bridges and improve road quality too.

When working for IGTL, Tilman de Jesus was the organisation’s Vice President and Member of the Board of Directors. Source: Oktoviano Viegas Tilman de Jesus

“It was tough to pack up and leave for my PhD, but I need to do this for Timor-Leste”

Born and raised in Timor-Leste, Tilman de Jesus experienced the country’s poor infrastructure his whole life.

Growing up, he thought that was how all roads were, but when he was older, he realised something had to be done about it.

“I was originally from the countryside. I had to leave my parents behind to attend high school in the city. When travelling to the city, I noticed a lot of landslides and poor road conditions,” he shares. “That was when I decided I wanted to study about these issues and solve them.”

When applying for undergraduate programmes and scholarships, his first choice was initially meteorology, a branch of science that studies the weather and the phenomena of the atmosphere.

However, meteorology was only offered as a master’s degree; to pursue it, Tilman de Jesus had to pursue an undergraduate degree in geology. 

He accepted the offer and pursued a Bachelor’s in Geology at Mapúa University in Manila, Philippines, under three different scholarships.

But when it was time to start his master’s in meteorology, he decided that it was something he no longer wanted to pursue.

Home was calling to Tilman de Jesus.

Tilman de Jesus has six publications, two of which were published in Springer eBooks and the Journal of Water Resource and Protection. Source: Oktoviano Viegas Tilman de Jesus

After spending six years in the Philippines, he returned to Timor-Leste for his first job at the Institute of Geoscience of Timor-Leste (IGTL).

However, after a year of working, the institute gave him a full scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Geological and Earth Sciences at the University of Coimbra, Portugal.

“It was different studying in a European environment after being in Asia for most of my life. While the language was not a problem for me, as Timor-Leste’s primary language is Portuguese, the educational system is entirely the opposite,” he shares.

After completing his master’s, Tilman de Jesus returned to work for the IGTL as a geologist and geological engineer. He conducted research in the field and collaborated with organisations to improve Timor-Leste’s infrastructure.

Over the years, Tilman de Jesus was promoted to become the Vice President and Member of the Board of Directors at IGTL.

But when he was accepted to a PhD programme in Japan, he knew it was time to return to academia.

“I’m already well-versed in research so applying it to my PhD is simple, but it was tough having to leave my job and pack up to pursue my PhD. I had to remind myself that I’m doing this for Timor-Leste,” he says.

Japan was his Plan B. Tilman de Jesus was initially accepted to the University of Aukland in New Zealand for his PhD but was told to wait for the research funding to become available.

“I waited for a while, but they never released the funding. “I was later introduced to a Japan International Corporation Agency and was told they offer full scholarships for public servants who want to further their education,” he shares.

He took a leap of faith and applied. Today, Tilman de Jesus is a PhD candidate in system and design engineering in geology at Yamaguchi University.

Tilman de Jesus has been studying abroad for eight years before his PhD. He believes experiencing different environments can help him adapt to changes and help contribute to his future workplaces. Source: Oktoviano Viegas Tilman de Jesus

Some words of advice for students from underdeveloped looking to study abroad

Trusting yourself and knowing that you can do better and surpass your limits is vital when studying abroad. Tilman de Jesus believes in this.

“You have to push yourself and put effort in whatever you’re going to do, especially for your studies,” he shares. “We’re filled with all kinds of skills, even those you didn’t think you have. But without putting in effort, we’ll never know.”

Tilman de Jesus also believes that good things will come when you work hard. Throughout the years, he has had to put things together and personally guide himself through hardships. 

Take the scholarships he has received, for example. Through his dedication to the study of geology, he received several scholarships along the way.

Another piece of advice that Tilman de Jesus has is to observe everything around you while studying abroad, mainly what your teachers or professors will teach you.

Once you’ve started your career, you should apply these lessons learned at university.

“Whatever you’ll be learning abroad, you must apply it professionally. It doesn’t matter whether you’ll be working in a corporate company or government agency; you’ll have to be open to learning and use it to gain more knowledge,” he says.

“You have to challenge yourself and put more effort into your journey to becoming an international student.”