We had an exci
ting visit today to the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST). OIST is an Interdisciplinary Graduate School with a Post Graduate five-year PhD Program in Science. The university recruit students and faculty worldwide and the language used at the university is English. OIST is so impressive and it is in a magnificent setting!
The Consulate arranged a meeting for me at the university to discuss a major drive to recruit faculty, researchers, staff, and students with disabilities. It is so exciting to see their commitment to the disability community worldwide.
We met with Machi Dilworth, Vice President for Gender Equality and Human Resources Development. She spent time with us and talked about how she has set aside four positions for people with disabilities to hire at OIST and would love to have a faculty member with a disability.
At OIST, the tuition is free; paid for by the university. With this great opportunity I want students with disabilities to know about their offerings. It is so hard to believe the tuition is free when you see this majestic new campus. The government gave them a substantial grant to build the university and now they are working to build a student base.
Please tell everyone you know—students with disabilities pursing a Master’s or PhD in the sciences—to check out OIST. They will not be disappointed!
I am excited to work with them and hope to direct more graduate students to the university.
That evening we spent time with our friends from the Consulate talking about how we can partner with the nuiversity and develop a program for Graduate Students with Disabilties. What a great opportunity!!