The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has welcomed Dr. Hiroyuki Fujita to its Board of Governors.
After studying at Waseda University, Dr. Fujita moved to the United States in 1988, where he received his B.A. in Mathematics and Physics from Monmouth College and his Ph.D. in Physics from Case Western Reserve University. In 2006, he founded Quality Electrodynamics, LLC (QED), a medical device development and manufacturing company in Ohio, USA, which focuses on the creation of MRI technology. As the company’s founder, president, and CEO, he has long been involved in the development of these cutting-edge technologies. In 2019, QED joined Canon Inc., and Dr. Fujita is CTO of CT-MR Division, Canon Medical Systems Corporation, Tochigi, Japan. He is also an adjunct full professor of Physics and Radiology at Case Western Reserve University, and of the Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at The University of Queensland.
In recognition of his work with QED, Dr. Fujita made the Top 20 List of America's Most Promising Companies by Forbes Magazine in 2009 and has received numerous awards, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2010 and the U.S. President's "E Star" Awards (for his company's contribution to the US export growth) in 2013 and 2019. President Obama invited Dr. Fujita to the 2012 State of the Union Address as a Presidential guest to sit with the First Lady. Dr. Fujita serves as the inaugural Honorary Consul of Japan in Cleveland and is a member of the Board of Councilors of the U.S.-Japan Council, a Board member of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, a Board member of the Cleveland Foundation, a Board member of the Cleveland Orchestra and the Board of Trustees of The Ohio State University, and is the Chair of the Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital Board of Directors, and the Board of Trustees of OIST Foundation. He is also active in various fields, including U.S.-Japan relations, medicine, arts & culture and academia.
Commenting on his appointment to the OIST Board of Governors, Dr. Fujita said, "When I first learned about OIST, I was amazed at the uniqueness of the organization and was convinced that the institution would surely have a role to play when Japan seeks real changes in the future. I am looking forward to being part of a distinguished group of leaders with a mission and a strong desire to work together to create something good.”
Through his experience in running a company and organizations, as well as his own time as a researcher, Dr. Fujita says that it is important to take the first step forward in everything. He says that he passes on his philosophy of "Fail Fast" to his young employees and researchers so that they can take on challenges, learn from their mistakes, and use them as a basis for success so that their initial failures will no longer be seen as failures but rather, learning opportunities.
Dr. Fujita also pointed out that in order for OIST to grow further this year, 10 years after its opening, it must not diminish its "cross-cultural character," which is different from the conventional university system. “OIST's unique perspective must continue to be nurtured and developed to create a platform that attracts the best and brightest from around the world to Okinawa, which will have a positive impact on Japan's society and education system in the future.”
For more information about OIST's Board of Governors, please click here:
https://www.oist.jp/board-governors
