Strengthening industry-academia collaboration: Another step forward in establishing OIST as a key R&D hub and national strategic asset in Japan
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and Keizai Doyukai, Japan’s membership association for top business leaders, gathered this weekend. They agreed steps to strengthen industry-academia collaboration, and highlighted the importance of OIST reaching its full potential. The meeting was the latest in an ongoing program of strategic engagement with Doyukai executives over the years. Work since then has included regular briefings and specialist discussion with OIST faculty and professional staff, and provision of insight and data to Okinawa's Keizai Doyuzai Branch, which will shortly publish a landmark report entitled 'Proposal for the Development of OIST'.
The symposium brought together 34 members from Keizai Doyukai, 20 from the Okinawa Keizai Doyukai, and 19 OIST executives and researchers for discussions on fostering innovation and strengthening Japan’s global impact.
[Header image:(From left to right) Takeshi Niinami (Representative Director of Keizai Doyukai and CEO of Suntory Holdings LTD), Miki Fuchibe (Representative Director of Okinawa Keizai Doyukai and Chairman of JCC Corporation), Karin Markides (OIST President and CEO), and Gil Granot-Mayer (OIST Executive Vice President) ]
Towards dynamic collaboration
The symposium opened with remarks by Takeshi Niinami, Representative Director of Keizai Doyukai and CEO of Suntory Holdings LTD. He expressed his hope that this symposium would further strengthen the ties between industry and government in supporting OIST’s efforts to enhance the international competitiveness of Japan and address global challenges.
Following the opening remarks, OIST President and CEO Karin Markides delivered a keynote speech, where she highlighted the evolving role of universities, the reasoning behind the establishment of OIST, and the institute’s interdisciplinary research approach. She also showcased key research achievements and discussed the future of industry-academia collaboration, emphasizing the importance of innovation driven by reliable, evidence-based open science as a means of building a sustainable society.
Exploring the future of industry-academia collaboration
A panel discussion followed, where participants explored OIST’s unique strengths and the fundamental elements supporting its success. The discussion focused on how to accelerate the collaboration between industry and OIST, as well as how to ensure the sustainability and future expansion of OIST research initiatives. The session was moderated by Tomokazu Nanbu (Chair of the Advanced Science and Technology Strategy Committee at Keizai Doyukai and Advisor to Sumitomo Corporation). Panelists included Gil Granot-Mayer (Executive Vice President for Innovation and Outreach, OIST), Professor Hiroaki Kitano (Chair of the Advanced Science and Technology Strategy Committee, Keizai Doyukai; President & CEO, Sony Computer Science Laboratories; Adjunct Professor, OIST), and Jun Suzuki (Vice Representative Director, Tokyo Keizai Doyukai; Senior Advisor, Teijin Ltd.). The panel addressed critical topics like the decline in Ph.D. talent in Japan, the need for diversified funding sources at OIST, the role of corporations in addressing these challenges, and strategies to strengthen OIST’s relationship with Okinawa’s local community. Discussion highlighted the special importance of universities developing creative and effective internal programs to develop early-stage technologies. An example of this was the ‘Proof of Concept (POC)’ program at OIST, and the structured support it provides from the laboratory through to commercialization.
A closer look at cutting-edge research
After the conclusion of the first day of the symposium, participants visited OIST’s research facilities by touring three laboratories: the Marine Biophysics Unit (Prof. Satoshi Mitarai), the Coordination Chemistry and Catalysis Unit (Prof. Julia Khusnutdinova), and the Molecular Cryo-Electron Microscopy Unit (Prof. Matthias Wolf). Attendees had the opportunity to see the advanced research equipment at OIST and gain firsthand insight into cutting-edge scientific advancements.
The second day began with research presentations on fields where Okinawa holds unique strengths and where further progress is expected. Prof. Keiko Kono presented research on longevity and health, Prof. Noriyuki Satoh introduced the Coral Environmental DNA Research Project, and Prof. Paola Laurino highlighted the initiatives of the OIST Open Center "OIST Energy".
To foster deeper exchanges of ideas, the symposium also featured roundtables on three themes:
- The future of industry-academia collaboration and quantum technology
- From research to spinout: challenges and opportunities
- AI and the new frontiers of human intelligence and learning
Each session examined key technological advancements and their industrial applications, identifying opportunities for future collaborations.
Looking Ahead
President Markides and Representative Director Niinami delivered the closing remarks at the conclusion of the symposium. President Markides emphasized the importance of industry collaboration in advancing OIST’s research, stating that “through this symposium, we have reaffirmed that OIST’s model deserves to be sustained, expanded, and disseminated. I deeply appreciate the recognition of OIST as a ‘treasure of Okinawa and Japan.’ With your continued support, we will further develop our strengths in interdisciplinary research, organically clustering across fields such as energy sustainability, One Health and bioconvergence, neuroscience and data science, quantum science and technology, and marine and terrestrial ecology.”
Niinami added that “this year’s symposium was even more vibrant than the last. It has strengthened my resolve to support OIST further. I believe participants have gained a deeper understanding of OIST’s value in shaping Okinawa’s bright future.” He also emphasized the value of the insights gained from the research presentations and roundtables and pledged to track the progress of research and collaborations at next year’s symposium.
Over the two days, discussions acknowledged OIST’s achievements in scientific research and startup creation while recognizing the need for continued growth. Participants shared a strong consensus that OIST’s future success will require robust, reciprocal partnerships and active support from industry, local and national governments, and global stakeholders.
This symposium marked another step forward in establishing OIST not only as a pillar of Okinawa’s innovation ecosystem but also as a key R&D hub and national strategic asset in Japan. This deepening partnership between OIST and Keizai Doyukai is expected to drive forward practical initiatives for sustainable growth.
To see more photos, please visit OIST Flickr album.
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