Prof. Kuroda received her PhD in Chemistry from The University of Tokyo, and is currently a Distinguished Professor at Chubu University. Prior to this role, she held positions at King’s College London, the University of Tokyo (now Professor Emerita), and the Tokyo University of Science. 

As a scientist, she is known for her seminal contributions to left-right asymmetry (chirality) in crystallography, spectroscopy, and molecular/developmental biology, having published over 350 papers and given numerous invited lectures around the world. She is a Laureate of the L’Oréal UNESCO Women in Science Award and a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

As an activist, she has focused on science policy, education, women in science, science communication, and the environment, serving as Scientific Advisory Board member to the UN Secretary General on SDGs, Vice President of the International Council for Science (ICSU), a member of the Club of Rome, and a member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC).
 

Prof. Wiesel held academic positions at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School, where he was Chairman of the Department of Neurobiology from 1971–1981. In 1983, Prof. Wiesel joined The Rockefeller University and later served as President for seven years until 1998. He served as Secretary-General of the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization from 2000–2009. He was a founding member of OIST’s Board of Governors since 2002 and served as the BOG Co-chair from December 2006 to October 2017. He played a key role in establishing a framework to achieve international cooperation with an emphasis on the quality of research and opportunities for young investigators. He is also a 1981 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine.

“Academic dress” is part of a tradition spanning a thousand years of history, connecting us to the first universities in Europe. Originally the dress was worn daily by students and professors alike; however, its use now is restricted to formal occasions at universities.

OIST’s academic dress was designed entirely by the students, and follows the red, white, and black of the OIST colors. The hood, worn only by OIST PhD graduates, features a local textile called Yuntanza Minsa, woven with the Guushi-Bana method of forming the pattern with a pointed bamboo stick. The design of the hood combines local patterns for good fortune, with stylized sine waves representing the sciences.

The hoods are generously hand-woven from locally hand-dyed cotton from Yuntanza Hanaui, a craft-weavers guild from nearby Yomitan Village, and we thank them for their wonderful contribution.

Every year, our graduation ceremony starts with a performance of traditional Okinawan dance (琉球舞踊) and music by OIST community members.

In 2024, we will enjoy "Kajadifu," the most famous of the congratulatory dances, performed on occasions of joy, such as celebrations and inaugurations. Rich in the primary forms and techniques of Ryukyuan dance, such as the use of decorative fans, it is a celebration of the joy of life and one of the most important dances in the canon.