OIST and NAIST Sign Comprehensive Agreement
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) have signed a comprehensive agreement to collaborate broadly, focusing primarily on research and educational activities. A signing ceremony to commemorate this agreement was held on July 11 at the NAIST campus.
Located in Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture, NAIST is a graduate university that promotes cutting-edge scientific and technological research globally, focusing on three areas: Information Science, Biological Science, and Materials Science. Established in 1991, NAIST attracts top-level domestic and international faculty and students from 45 countries and regions worldwide.
The collaboration between these two graduate universities, each recognized for its unique research and high global standards, is expected to facilitate the exchange of faculty, researchers, and graduate students in advanced science and technology fields, promoting interdisciplinary co-creative research. Additionally, the partnership aims to cultivate PhD talent capable of thriving globally and to foster a diverse, international campus environment, generating synergistic benefits.
In his opening remarks, NAIST President Kazuhiro Shiozaki expressed his expectations: "We both accept a diverse range of students as we do not have departments. Through the expansion of research exchanges and advancement of interdisciplinary research, we can expect significant synergistic effects. We look forward to the creation of interdisciplinary and outstanding results through this dynamic partnership."
OIST President and CEO Karin Markides shared her outlook: "To achieve positive changes, we need to build trust-based collaborations with complementary partners who share similar values. By leveraging our respective strengths and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices, we will strengthen Japan’s research capabilities, attractiveness, and address important global and local challenges."
