OIST and Onna Village Sign a Memorandum of Comprehensive Collaborative Agreement

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (hereinafter OIST, President and CEO: Peter Gruss) and Onna Village Government (Mayor: Yoshimi Nagahama) signed a comprehensive collaborative agreement. The signing ceremony was held at OIST on October 13 and was attended by Onna Village Mayor Yoshimi Nagahama and OIST President Peter Gruss.

Onna Village Mayor Nagahama (left) and OIST President Gruss (right) sign the agreement

Since its establishment in 2011, OIST has been involved in various community activities in collaboration with Onna Village, such as the Children's School of Science, the Science Club at Unna Junior High School, and the Corporate Version of Hometown Tax. This agreement is expected to further facilitate the collaboration between OIST and Onna Village in various areas. OIST aims to contribute to the development of human resources and the promotion of academic research, and ultimately to the realization of a sustainable community in Onna Village.

OIST and Onna Village will collaborate and cooperate in the following areas

1. Promotion of education
2. Promotion of lifelong learning, sports, history, and culture
3. Improvement of health, medical care and welfare
4. Promotion of industry and the economy
5. Environmental conservation
6. Urban infrastructure and disaster prevention
7. Other matters necessary to achieve the objectives of this agreement

Future collaboration between OIST and Onna Village will include programs, educational outreach, and community activities to realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the local community. One such activity is the monitoring of coral reefs and the marine environment using DNA sequencing technology. By providing scientific knowledge and technology to coral reef conservation efforts, OIST will promote sustainable development of the culture and industries that depend on coral reefs and their ecosystems.

Onna Village Mayor Nagahama (left) and OIST President Gruss (right)

"With the advice of OIST's advanced knowledge and experience, we hope to apply it to the development of our village and to nurture Onna Village's human resources for the future." Mayor Nagahama gave a speech in the opening remarks at the signing ceremony. ”We are proud that OIST is part of Onna Village, and we look forward to expanding our cooperation in a variety of areas through this agreement." said President Gruss, expressing his hopes for this partnership agreement in the future.