Excellence in teaching is one of the core values and functions of the university, alongside research and contribution to society. The OIST Graduate University PhD program is unique in Japan, with an initial pre-thesis phase of elective courses and research rotations, followed by thesis research. In the first phase, students complete a mix of elective courses without traditional majors (at least 20 credits for Bachelor’s entry students, or at least 10 credits for Master’s entry students) as well as a range of laboratory projects (rotations), a pre-thesis research proposal, and mandatory professional development training. Excellence in research supervision in both the early and the later years is another important element of our teaching vision.

A key feature of the OIST educational approach is that we offer a very flexible teaching program that is tailored to each individual student’s unique set of circumstances and needs. OIST accepts students from a wide range of backgrounds, and with a broad range of previous learning. Teaching a program without defined majors allows for a wide choice of elective courses, at both basic and advanced levels, and facilitates students’ preparation for interdisciplinary research or for entering new fields of research. We provide ample opportunity for cross-field learning and for broadening their outlook, by elective course choices (including out-of-field electives) and through independent study on topics of their own choosing. Students can also receive credit for undertaking external courses, online or off-campus, opening a vast array of specialist course options for individual and group study.

We aim to graduate students who are equipped to lead in an ever-changing environment, who can synthesize across disciplines, and who can seize an opportunity to create knowledge in new ways.

We recognize that graduate-level learning differs from uniform undergraduate learning in that it is driven by the needs of each student rather than by a set of predetermined standardized outcomes. OIST teaching is focussed on providing a suitable preparation for our students to conduct excellent research, and the ultimate arbiter of OIST education success is the successful defense of their thesis. The low student-to-faculty ratio, low teaching burden, and small class sizes allow our faculty to tailor their teaching to the individual needs of each student, especially important where there are students of diverse backgrounds in each class. This diversity of teaching opportunities allows each individual student to derive the most from each course.

We aim to teach research by doing research, and students gain experience in a range of research questions and techniques as they undertake at least three laboratory rotations, including one outside their narrower thesis field, in their first year. We provide state-of-the-art facilities for education and research, especially teaching laboratory facilities, and we ensure that students have access to all the university’s research resources and equipment. Research training through laboratory application of theory during the elective courses is encouraged where possible.

Professional development, in skills including writing, coding, ethics, teamwork, project management, and leadership, is mandatory and recognized by award of credit. Individual faculty mentors advise and support all students in academic and professional skills development.

One of OIST’s key missions is to develop industry and applications from our research that benefit Okinawa and Japan, and accordingly we offer strong support for the development of an entrepreneurial ethos and spirit in our graduates. This is provided by training opportunities within the Professional and Career Development program, and from other sources both at OIST and within Japan. Industry placements, business networking opportunities, and internships in Japanese companies help to foster our students’ contribution to this goal. Teaching and supervision by faculty should accommodate such internships as beneficial to the student and to the mission of the university.

OIST espouses a vision of flexibility, quality, and inclusion in our teaching and in our students’ research, providing them with the necessary training and every opportunity to become global leaders in research, industry, and beyond.

The OIST PhD Program is a full-time program of study leading to a doctoral research degree in science and technology, with the aim of graduating outstanding scientists well prepared for leadership roles in academia, industry, and other professional careers. The PhD program and the university are structured without departments, required course progressions, or majors, giving students the freedom to pursue study and research without restrictions imposed by traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Students who show evidence of outstanding potential for conducting creative and independent research are admitted with either an advanced Bachelor's or Master's degree. Students gain a broad range of exposure to science through research rotations and courses in the first two years and must develop and demonstrate competencies within and beyond their specific research topic. Students are facilitated to develop an independent research question, and are given the support, resources, and funds to carry out that research over the following years. Beyond the laboratory, there is a continued emphasis on professional development, including the mastery of relevant computation, communication, collaboration and leadership skills.

The OIST PhD Program is designed to generate graduates who can take advantage of the new frontiers of modern science by virtue of their adaptability, creativity, and confidence in their ability to thrive and lead in new disciplines and new techniques as they arise.

As a consequence of our program design, student selection, and academic and research support, our graduates excel in many or all of the following skills and attributes:

Understanding, analyzing, and integrating

Understanding the current state of knowledge and the literature of their own field of research;

Critically analyzing current research questions, techniques, and results in their own and adjacent fields of research;

Applying the best and most relevant theories and techniques from their own and allied fields to their research question;

Applying appropriate statistical analyses to draw fair and appropriate conclusions from data;

Understanding ethical, societal, and legal constraints and imperatives in their research and the practice of science in general;

Using appropriate language to clearly, concisely, and logically present results and arguments.

Thinking, creating, and synthesizing

Independently developing research questions to address current and future problems;

Confidently asking questions with self-direction, creativity and originality;

Advancing their specific field of study through original research by developing a substantial body of work worthy of international refereed publication;

Bringing together disparate views and different data to develop a bigger picture, and extending the frontiers of knowledge in new and innovative ways.

Mastering skills and techniques

Understanding the research methods, techniques, and problem-solving approaches used in their field, and choosing the appropriate ones for their needs;

Mastering the most suitable and efficient techniques to answer their research questions;

Using and developing appropriate software tools to find, analyze and present data;

Coding and scientific programming at appropriate level and in relevant environments for their research;

Planning, conducting, and completing a unique and independent program of world-class research.

Communicating and collaborating

Communicating their science and its relevance and impact to a wide range of audiences, including scholarly writing for journals and books, oral and poster presentations at conferences and seminars, submissions and reports to funding agencies, and science communication to a general audience;

Confidently and cordially discussing and arguing scientific questions with peers and colleagues;

Demonstrating leadership within their chosen community, including giving and receiving continuing professional education and mentoring;

Successfully participating in institution-wide, domestic, and international collaborations, and engaging across disciplines and cultures;

Understanding issues and opportunities in intellectual property, entrepreneurship, and the commercial and societal aspects of research and their results.