OIST International Symposium 2010 Panel Discussion Part 04

Part 04: Dr. Somekh on how Okinawa can attract entrepreneurs; Ms. Wright and Mr. Tsukamoto on the role that local and federal government plays in preparing for investment and entrepreneurial endeavor.

On October 6, 2010, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Promotion Corporation (OIST P.C.) held an international symposium entitled International Symposium: Toward the Development of an R&D Cluster in Okinawa. Approximately 180 people from Japan and abroad attended the event.

The symposium ended with a 90-minute panel discussion, moderated by Mr. Mitsuru Miyata, Chief Editor-Medical of Nikkei BP. The opportunities and challenges of developing a thriving R&D cluster in Okinawa and OIST's role as a catalyst were discussed by five panelists - Dr. Hiroaki Kitano, Principal Investigator of OIST, Dr. Sass Somekh, President of Musea Ventures, U.S.A., Mr. Toshiaki Taira, Chief Operating Officer of the Okinawa Industry Promotion Public Corporation, Mr. Yoshiaki Tsukamoto, Executive Director of the Bio Industry Association in Japan, and Ms. Julie Meier Wright, President of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Taira began the discussion with an overview of the current status in Okinawa, and the resulting interchange addressed topics including the geographical advantages of being at the center of the Asia-Pacific region, Okinawa's similarities with San Diego, and previous experience with R&D development in Japan and abroad. Panelists also mentioned the competition from other established and emerging clusters and expressed expectations for OIST to produce outstanding research results in particular areas that will lead to international recognition, which in turn will result in companies coming to Okinawa to form an R&D cluster with OIST at the center as a catalyst.

The Okinawa Institute for Science and Technology (OIST) was founded by the Japanese government to become an international world-class research facility. In 2012, the OIST Graduate School will begin offering a single interdisciplinary 5-year doctoral program in which all research and education is conducted in English. At least half of the students and faculty members will be non-Japanese.

For more information about OIST, please visit the website at http://www.oist.jp

For more information about the 2010 Cluster Symposium, visit http://www.oist.jp/en/event-report/670-international-symposium-toward-development-of-an-rad-cluster-in-okinawa-.html