About OIST
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) is a pioneering graduate university that is rapidly gaining recognition in the worldwide academic community as a model for excellence in research and education. With no academic departments, OIST facilitates multidisciplinary research that explores new frontiers of scientific knowledge. Situated on the beautiful island of Okinawa, OIST is truly international and attracts some of the best graduate students, faculty and staff from around the world.
About the SDG Initiative at OIST
In response to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in recognition of our hometown Onna Village being selected as one of Japan’s “SDGs Future Cities”, OIST launched a university-wide sustainability initiative in 2021. The strategic initiative is a commitment to engage with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through both internal projects and external collaborations with university consortia and other partner institutions.
Contact us at SDG@oist.jp, and via our social media channels
The objectives of the SDG Initiative at OIST
- Grow awareness of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the university
- Identify and acknowledge existing processes and university practices that contribute to the SDGs
- Share learning from research, academics, innovations, operations, and community actions around the SDGs
- Provide scientific advice on sustainability
- Promote the SDGs through PhD education and STEM outreach activities
- Encourage cooperation between the university and SDG partners
- Communicate our achievements and progress towards the SDGs to the university community and the wider world
About the SDG Working Team at OIST
The SDG Initiative at OIST is led by President & CEO Peter Gruss and his team. Spearheaded by Dr. Cecilia Lu, Senior Analyst for Institutional Research & Planning, the SDG Working Team brings expertise and experience spanning strategy, education, innovation & entrepreneurship, institutional development, and public relations & communications. The dynamic and forward-thinking team coordinates university-wide efforts for internal and external SDG outreach and engagement. The SDG Working Team reports to the President and the senior leadership team.
About the SDG Advisory Group at OIST
The SDG Advisory Group is co-chaired by the Senior Advisor for Strategy and the SDG Working Team Lead. Consisting of 28 members representing OIST faculty, researchers, students, managers and admin staff, teachers in the Child Development Center and OIST family members, the SDG Advisory Group provides general and specific feedback on new university-wide SDG projects.
Science advice is led by Professor Tim Ravasi, Head of the Marine Climate Change Unit, supported by other faculty and research colleagues and coordinated by the SDG Working Team.
Developing areas of the SDG initiative
We aspire to develop science-policy interfaces and citizen science projects with Okinawan communities through partnerships and knowledge-sharing in the following areas:
- Island Sustainability – Ecology and biodiversity research to understand and preserve the natural history and cultural heritage of Okinawa
- Ocean Sustainability – Regional and international collaborations in marine science and oceanography to enhance research and education
- SDG Awards and Education
Explore the list of SDG-oriented projects and activities at the university here.