Collaboration Program with Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)

Collaborative activities with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as OIST) began in 2019, centered on the School of Medicine. These activities include sending School of Medicine students to Research Internships and holding the "Showcase talk series," a research introduction event for faculty members from both universities, including the Faculty of Science and Technology. Since academic year 2022, the International Research Summer Camp has been held annually at OIST as an educational collaboration activity. Approximately 20 primarily second-year undergraduate students acquire basic research skills in an environment where the official language is English. Furthermore, since academic year 2023, third-year undergraduate students have been participating in the OIST Research Internship for approximately four months as an off-campus placement for the School of Medicine's compulsory subject "Independent Study."

On January 23, 2026, a research result presentation session was held at the Shinanomachi Campus by students dispatched to off-campus universities for the School of Medicine's Independent Study.

Two faculty members from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and faculty members from our School of Medicine attended, and each student presented their research results in English. In academic year 2025, six third-year undergraduate students were dispatched to OIST, two to Columbia University in the USA, and three to Johns Hopkins University in the USA. Following the five-minute presentations, many questions were raised by faculty and students, leading to a lively Q&A session. A social gathering was held after the presentation session, with nearly 30 faculty members, students, and staff participating to deepen their friendships.

Prior to this presentation session, the OIST faculty members were welcomed for a Keio University Hospital AI Hospital tour and laboratory visits (Professor Kosaki, Department of Clinical Genetics; Professor Nakajima, Department of Anatomy), accompanied by School of Medicine student ambassadors as interpreters.

The School of Medicine lists "qualities as an international medical professional" as one of its educational goals and encourages international exchange among students. Opportunities provided include a 10-day OIST Summer Camp in the second year (approx. 20 participants), a 4-month Independent Study in the third year (approx. 10 students dispatched to off-campus universities), and an approximately 1-month clinical clerkship abroad in the fifth year (approx. 65 students dispatched).

The OIST Summer Camp is an international exchange program that began in 2022, primarily for second-year School of Medicine students. OIST (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology) is an academic institution located in Onna Village, Okinawa Prefecture, where students and researchers from 72 countries and regions around the world gather. It consists of 90 units researching diverse fields including not only medical sciences but also physics and marine biology. The official language is English, and during the camp, I was able to have an interdisciplinary and meaningful experience through hands-on lab experiences, presentation lectures, and opportunities to interact with PhD students and lab members from various regions. We encourage everyone to participate.