On July 9, 2025, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) welcomed the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Toshiko Abe, to its campus. OIST President and CEO Karin Markides, Secretary-General Shigeharu Kato, Provost Amy Shen, and Executive Vice President for Innovation and Outreach Gil Granot-Mayer participated in a discussion with the Minister.
During the visit, OIST President Karin Markides highlighted key initiatives, including a special admissions track for students currently enrolled in or planning to enter U.S. PhD programs, various efforts in education and research, partnerships with academic institutions both in Japan and abroad, and examples of industry-academia collaboration such as Okinawa-based testbed projects. These initiatives are part of OIST's broader mission to serve as a model for next-generation global universities in Japan and across Asia.
In the following Q&A session, Minister Abe expressed her desire to apply OIST's experiences to help enhance Japan's research environment. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including strategies to attract top scientists and students from overseas, the importance of outreach, support for international researchers and their families relocating to Japan, and ways to expand opportunities for young scientists within the country.
At the conclusion of her visit, Minister Abe signed the OIST Golden Book and expressed her hope that future generations of scientists will flourish on the global stage, reaffirming her commitment to support their journey.
