1.3 Core Values

Integrity, honesty, fairness, respect for others, and dedication to the OIST mission are the values that inform the activities and behaviors of individuals working for, or asserting an affiliation with, the University.  The University promotes diversity and provides equal opportunities for all community members without regard for gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, medical condition, race, ethnicity, ancestry, culture, national origin, religion, or marital status. 

In addition, the University operates within the principles established by the following policies:

1.3.1 OPENNESS IN RESEARCH

The University’s central functions of teaching, learning, researching, and publishing depend upon an atmosphere in which freedom of inquiry, thought, expression, scholarship and peaceable assembly are given full protection and support. Therefore, it is University policy that expression of the widest range of viewpoints is to be encouraged within the University.

In order to support the open and free exchange of ideas, the University as a matter of policy also encourages participation in the research enterprise by a diverse body of highly qualified individuals. Except in extraordinary circumstances as determined by the President, participation in University research by otherwise qualified individuals will not be limited by citizenship, nationality, or ethnicity.  Similarly, participants in University research shall not be denied access  - based on citizenship, nationality, or ethnicity  -  to the intellectually significant portions of their research.

Additionally, because the University’s research is intended for dissemination within the interested scientific community and throughout the world, only time-limited publication and disclosure restrictions based on contractual and/or legal obligations, such as those required for purposes of peer review and patentability review, may be imposed on the research.

1.3.2 RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE

OIST Graduate University Respectful Workplace Policy

The University is committed to providing a work environment that promotes education, research, and productivity through working relationships based on respectful communication. This commitment calls for a workplace where the following core values are upheld:

1. Everyone at OIST without exception has an important contribution to make toward the overall success of the University’s mission.
2. This mission will be carried out in an atmosphere where all employees, in all types of jobs, value each other and treat each other with respect. Communication between employees should be polite at all times. This will be true even in situations of high pressure and urgency.
3. Diversity among employees is celebrated at OIST and employees must at all times exercise tolerance and respect for gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, medical condition, race, ethnicity, ancestry, culture, national origin, religion, or marital status.  Special consideration should be given to those employees with physical or mental impairment. 
4. Managers, supervisors and others in positions of authority should consider themselves as role models in the promotion of these core values, without in any way abdicating their responsibility to direct their employees to perform work effectively.
5. In the same spirit, employees, irrespective of their job title, are encouraged to discuss issues of concern without fear that those discussions will result in negative treatment or punitive consequences from any other employee of the University.
6. To promote mutual understanding and avoid unnecessary conflicts, an atmosphere where native English speakers are considerate of non-native speakers, and vice versa, is expected so that no language-related barrier restricts employees from participating in discussions or in asking questions.
7. In response to staff input, the University will make reasonable changes to improve the work environment and productivity at OIST.

1.3.3 COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS

The University’s PhD program is at the heart of the University, and its participants are selected from the very best science and technology graduate students in the world.  The University is committed to their success, both while in the thesis program and beyond.  During their graduate training at the University, each student will work closely with world-class faculty pursuing unique, highly individualized programs of study in modern well-equipped laboratories.  The University’s international composition and interdisciplinary approach has been expressly designed to spark exploration, creativity, discussion and innovation, in order to assure that our students will advance the cutting edge of research in science and technology.  By providing excellent conditions for thesis research (including good practical support for living and thriving in Okinawa), the University advances the goals of its students and encourages them to become tomorrow’s leaders.