Communication and Public Relations Division
The Communication and Public Relations Division (CPR) promotes understanding, appreciation, and support for OIST through external relations, professional media and marketing communications campaigns, with emphasis on digital, social and multimedia. The Division works to further the university' s mission by engaging a broad audience that includes the general public of Okinawa and Japan, domestic and international scientific communities, government and funding agencies, industry and business development leaders, and students all over the world who are considering graduate careers in science and technology. The Division also fosters communication and cooperation within the graduate university through strategic internal communications. Output is delivered in both English and Japanese.
CPR Division has the following strategic priorities in 2023–2024:
- Grow and protect OIST’s brand and reputation locally, nationally, and internationally. Proactively share our scientific and institutional achievements.
- Promote OIST's role in economic sustainability, especially in entrepreneurship and innovation, and their value to society.
- Drive science outreach and community engagement in Onna and around Okinawa Prefecture, including on remote islands.
- Contribute to the capacity-building of science communication at Japanese institutions and related associations.
- Engage faculty, researchers, staff, and students by ensuring they are well-informed on achievements, challenges, and issues.
The current Vice President for Communication and Public Relations is Heather Young, who joined OIST in April 2021. Prior to arriving at OIST, she drove innovation by advancing communications for academic-industry collaborations across Canada and with international partners. Before that, she held leadership positions at a Canadian health and safety agency and at the Special Olympics. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Lights On Fund, a community-based fund that empowers charities through unrestricted grants, and is an active member of the International Association of Business Communicators.
VP profile: https://www.oist.jp/heather-young
The Assistant to the Vice President is Minae Uehara.
CPR VP Office
In addition to Media Relations, Community Relations, Translation and Interpretation, and Digital Content, Brand and Design, the Vice President directly oversees a team tasked with copywriting/proofreading, internal communication and staff engagement.
Coordinator
Media Relations
The Media Relations Section handles press relations and assists the Vice-President in managing institutional reputation.
Digital Content, Brand and Design
The Digital Content, Brand and Design Section is responsible for web design/ development/ maintenance, website user training, content strategy/ management, graphic design, animation, photography, videography, and social media.
Community Relations
The Community Relations Section manages tours, exhibitions, and community and educational programs, including Open Campus, the Children's School of Science, and school visits.
Translation and Interpretation
Translation and Interpretation Team members can be found providing simultaneous interpretation work for numerous meetings and lectures and as well as written translation work for almost all the materials that come out of CPR as well as some work requested by other divisions.
