FY2012 General Report - IV. Other Matters

1. Contribution to Okinawa Promotion

(1) Scientific Research

(2) Collaboration with Industry

(3) Promotion of R&D cluster

Six new non-disclosure agreements were created with private companies. Among them one was an Okinawa-based high tech manufacturing company, affiliated with a multinational corporation.

Four new R&D type (co-development with industries) projects were granted by the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). One of the OPG grants was funded from the commerce and labor division for the first time in OIST. The MEXT grant is to establish a venture company based on a technology developed in OIST.

Following recommendations created by the 2nd International R&D Workshop, four "start-up" promoting events were hosted at OIST (Samurai Venture Summit in October 2012, Start-up Weekend OKINAWA in Dec. 2012 and March 2013, SCORE in March 2013) in order to encourage young entrepreneurs and students in OKINAWA and Japan and to train how to start a business.

Two secondment positions (one from OPG and other from Okinawa Bank) were created inside the Business Development Section in order to create tight relationship with entities that will become important stakeholders in the R&D cluster around OIST.

The Open Technology Center supported the application to the International Intellectual Cluster program by OPG by bringing together OIST researchers and other academic and industrial parties regarding the R&D of slow-digestive rice.

For installation of the Okinawa Coastal Ocean Observatory System, the Marine Science Resources Section established partnerships and agreements with the OPG, National Coast Guard, Port Agencies, Churashima Foundation, and Fishermen's Coops, with support from the Sponsored Research Section.

2. Networking with local institutions and communities

Cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed or renewed with several other Okinawan institutions and organizations, including the University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa National College of Technology (Kosen), Churaumi Aquarium, Japan Coast Guard, Okinawa Prefecture. Visits of faculty and students were arranged for OIST at Kosen, and for University of Ryukyus at OIST.

By disclosing the information through the OIST Website, OPG, and other events, OIST significantly increased the number of the visitors. The total number of the visitors (excluding visitors for Open Campus) was 17,400, up from 7,553 in FY2011.

OIST held the Open Campus at the OIST Campus on March 3, 2013. OIST enhanced the program by increasing the number of the demonstrations. OIST invited a scientist from JAXA for a special talk in the auditorium. OIST also improved the service by increasing the number of helpers, and the number of food vendors. A total of 4,075 persons came to the Open Campus Day FY2012, up from 3,012 in FY2011.

OIST worked with school principals, teachers and the Prefectural Education Board to establish an OIST visit program for all high school students in Okinawa. This project started successfully with 3,461 students from 26 high schools visiting in FY2012.

OIST held a science talk by Dr. Jerome Freedman in May, 2012 at Kaiho Senior High School “The Road to Quarks and Beyond.” 700 students joined the program.

The summer school for Onna-son children was held in August 2012. OIST added a physics class for 4-6 grade students, and had 74 students in 4 classes in total. OIST invited the students and families to a closing ceremony, a campus tour, and tea at OIST campus.  Teachers from the Onna schools joined the program for the first time.

Starting with the inaugural lecture in May, OIST had various programs at Auditorium, OIST internal meetings, workshops, meetings for recruiting new graduates, the external lectures/meetings, high school visit program, movie nights by OIST staff, and music concerts.

3. Others matters concerning Okinawa development

The number of visits from the business organizations and the public to the campus was largely increased through effective communication, including OIST Website and a range of events. A total of 4,216 students from 32 local schools visited OIST as a result of promoting the campus visit to local elementary, junior and senior high schools, with help from Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education. The total visits of the fiscal year reached 17,400, including children and students. OIST had 4,075 people for its open campus, and held other events, including "Children of School Science" intended for children of Onna Village, lectures by OIST faculty and BOG members, and science demonstrations, etc. throughout the prefecture.