On July 17, Prof. T. Randall Lee, Associate Dean for Research at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM), University of Houston, visited the Institute of Integrated Science Research (IIR) at Science Tokyo. During his visit, a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the IIR and NSM was presented to the Director-General of IIR, Hiroshi Nishina. The meeting was attended by IIR Director-General Nishina, Professor Masato Sone, and Associate Professor Tso-Fu Mark Chang.
The concept of the MOU between the IIR and NSM was first proposed in July 2024 to commemorate the establishment of Science Tokyo. At that time, Professor Lee visited Science Tokyo under the World Research Hub (WRH) Program and presented the idea to Prof. Naoto Ohtake, then Director of the Institute for Innovative Research and now President of Science Tokyo. The detailed proposal was later presented to Director-General Nishina in December 2024, and the MOU was finalized and signed in July 2025. The current MOU focuses on the exchange of PhD students. Discussions during the meeting also explored opportunities to expand collaboration, including organizing joint symposia to foster the exchange of research ideas and the potential establishment of a double-degree program. This agreement marks a significant first step in elevating the partnership between the two universities to a new level. Moving forward, both institutions will continue to deepen their cooperation in education and research, aiming to strengthen academic collaboration and mutual growth.
