History

• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018

2001

Jun	Former Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs and Former Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy Koji Omi announces a plan to establish a new graduate university in Okinawa.
Aug	First meeting of the study committee, chaired by Dr. Akito Arima, former President of the University of Tokyo

2002

Apr	First meeting of the International Advisory Committee (IAC) held in Los Angeles, participants including nine prominent scientists, three of whom are Nobel Laureates
May	On the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Reversion of Okinawa, Prime Minister Koizumi announces the government will promote the project to establish a new graduate university in Okinawa.

2003

Jan	Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi states in his keynote address to the Diet that the Japanese government will promote the project.
Apr	The site in Onna Village is selected as a venue for the campus.
Jun	First meeting of the Council takes place in Tokyo.
Oct	First international symposium takes place at Bankoku Shinryokan in Okinawa.

2004

Feb	Four proposals for the Initial Research Project (IRP) are selected as preliminary research projects for the graduate university.
Mar	First international workshop takes place in Okinawa.
Jul	First meeting of the Board of Governors (BOG) takes place in Tokyo.
Dec	Ministers agree to establish a new research institute in September 2005, as an organization leading up to the new graduate university.

2005

Mar	Japanese Diet approves a bill to establish Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Promotion Corporation (OIST P.C.) as the organization to prepare the graduate university.
Aug	Dr. Sydney Brenner designated as the first President of OIST P.C.
Sep	Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Promotion Corporation (OIST P.C.) receives legal status of an Independent Administrative Institution.

2006

Jan	The first BOG meeting since the establishment of OIST P.C. takes place in San Francisco.
Apr	The facility Hakuun-so is renovated and renamed Seaside House.

2007

Apr	Groundbreaking ceremony takes place at the main campus site.

2008

Jul	The Blueprint for the OIST Graduate University is approved.
Nov	Seaside Faculty Housing is completed.

2009

Mar	Submission of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation Bill to the Diet.
Jun	The House of Representatives unanimously passes the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation Bill on 11 June 2009.
Jul	The House of Councilors unanimously passes the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation Bill on 3 July 2009. The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation Act is enacted on 10 July 2009.
Oct	First meeting of the Establishing Members for OIST takes place in Tokyo.

2010

Mar	The use of Laboratory 1 and the Center Building commences.
Jul	Prof. Jonathan Dorfan selected as the first President of the new Graduate University.
Aug	The first Onna/OIST Children's School of Science takes place at Tancha Community Center.

2011

Oct	Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) issues accreditation certificates for OIST School Corporation and Graduate University.
Nov	Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation Inauguration

2012

Feb	Completion of the Auditorium
Jun	Completion of Laboratory 2
Sep	OIST Graduate Program Commencement

2014

Aug	Completion of the Child Development Center

2015

Apr	Completion of Laboratory 3

2016

Jul	Inauguration of the OIST Marine Science Station at Seragaki

2017

Jan	Appointment of Dr. Peter Gruss as President of OIST Graduate University
Nov	Presentation of the Japanese award Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star to President Emeritus Dr. Jonathan Dorfan

2018

Feb	OIST Inaugural Graduation Ceremony