Creating Collaborative Synergy Between Generations at the OIST-Keio International Summer Camp
The OIST-Keio International Research Summer Camp is a collaborative effort between the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and Keio University, designed to provide medical students with first-hand experience in fundamental research. Now in its third year, the program allows Keio students to participate in hands-on research for ten days at OIST, working alongside faculty, researchers, and graduate students from various scientific disciplines.
Research Opportunities
Participants engage in projects across more than 80 research units, focusing on areas such as cell function, computational neuroscience, and marine ecology. The program also features a range of cultural and educational activities, including excursions for coral planting, classes on the Okinawan language and history, as well as workshops on academic English and traditional Okinawan music.
Facilitating Enrichment
The involvement of Tatsuo Kawasaki, a member of OIST’s Board of Councilors, has played a significant role in facilitating these enriching experiences for participants.
Student Insights
This year, 20 medical students attended the camp, reporting that the insights gained were crucial in shaping their future career paths. Several students noted that the experience sparked their research interests and deepened their understanding of the research process. Faculty members, in turn, indicated that mentoring the students provided them with fresh perspectives on their research methodologies and supported the refinement of their mentoring skills.
Multicultural Environment
In addition to gaining research experience, students benefited from OIST’s multicultural environment, participating in English classes and networking events with international researchers, which many regarded as illuminating.
Long-term Impact
The impact of the summer camp often extends beyond the initial ten days, with approximately 85% of participants returning to OIST as interns in subsequent research programs. One participant notably co-authored a paper in the journal *Organic Letters* after returning to OIST.
Future Initiatives
Looking to the future, the partnership between Keio and OIST is set to expand with the launch of the Keio-OIST Clinical Research Partnership. This initiative aims to enable OIST researchers to collaborate with Keio University’s School of Medicine, fostering interdisciplinary cooperation in research and innovation. This initiative is partly supported by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) under its program to strengthen Japan’s leading research institutions.
Original news source: OIST News Center
