At OIST, the Provost oversees the planning and allocation of research funds across faculty units and core facilities. Working closely with deans and faculty, the Provost upholds research and educational excellence, making key decisions on budget and academic guidelines. Serving as a liaison between the academic community and the university’s broader administration, the Provost works with the President and other Vice Presidents, to shape the academic direction and priorities for OIST.
The most profound scientific breakthroughs often begin with a question - simple, open-ended, and driven by curiosity. As Provost of Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology it is my privilege to help foster an environment where this is both strongly encouraged and actively supported.
OIST was founded on the principle that interdisciplinary, curiosity-driven research is key to advancing knowledge and addressing the complex challenges facing our world. Our unique structure – free from departmental silos – enables researchers to pursue bold ideas and collaborate across disciplines. As both a professor and Provost, I’ve seen how this environment empowers researchers to push the boundaries of what is known.
I am constantly inspired by the creativity and passion of our faculty, postdocs, students, and staff. Whether developing new theories, designing novel experiments, or building transformative technologies, the work undertaken at OIST reflects our shared commitment to excellence and discovery.
The team within the Office of the Provost works to nurture a research ecosystem where intellectual risk-taking is valued, diversity of thought is celebrated, and every member of our community feels empowered to ask the next big question.
