▌前進沖繩！探索藍色經濟與科技創生，見證新創島嶼的轉型奇蹟
臺大國際處攜手國發會 Startup Island TAIWAN 及 KOZAROCKS コザスタートアップ商店街串聯在地資源，舉辦「2026沖繩藍色經濟與科技創生見習團」，帶領10位臺大系統跨領域同學深入沖繩新創據點，展開一場結合尖端科研與永續產業的深度考察。
在沖繩科學技術大學院大學 的專業引導下，同學們走進諾貝爾獎得主坐鎮的頂尖研究殿堂，親眼見證研究環境與 精拓生技CancerFree Biotech 等生技團隊如何將科學突破轉化為商用解決方案。行程亮點聚焦於「從研究室到市場」的轉化路徑：在 ARK Inc. 觀摩陸上自動化水產養殖科技，並走訪 琉球大学RyuLab 創業基地，學習大學如何整合校園資源與新創協作，打造完善的育才體系。此外，在「 海ん道」親手採收綠色魚子醬－海葡萄，也讓同學們實地認識沖繩如何將傳統海洋資源發展為高產值的「藍色經濟」。
此外，同學們更拜訪由舊商店街華麗蛻變的 Koza Startup Arcade ，由代表豊里健一郎的帶領下，學習 Koza 如何從冷清的商店街轉身成為每年吸引千人的創新據點，並與進駐當地的投資人及新創團隊進行交流。
專業考察之餘，團隊也穿梭於美國村、沖繩市區及國際通，在悠遠的歷史與現代美式風情中尋找創新靈感。五天的行程讓同學們在體驗海島文化的同時，親身感受沖繩如何從觀光勝地轉型為充滿動能的科技創新島嶼。
更多有關國際引水人計畫：https://internshipabroad.ntu.edu.tw/
▌Heading to Okinawa! Exploring the Blue Economy and Tech Innovation, Witnessing the Transformation Miracle of a Startup Island
The NTU Office of International Affairs (OIA), in collaboration with Startup Island Taiwan (National Development Council) and KOZAROCKS, leveraged local resources to host the "2026 NTU Okinawa – Blue Economy and Tech Revitalization." This initiative led 10 cross-disciplinary students from the NTU System deep into Okinawa's startup hubs for an in-depth exploration combining cutting-edge scientific research with sustainable industries.
Under the professional guidance of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), students entered a top-tier research sanctuary home to Nobel laureates. They witnessed firsthand how the research environment and biotech teams like CancerFree translate scientific breakthroughs into commercial solutions.
A key highlight of the itinerary focused on the "Lab-to-Market" pathway: observing automated land-based aquaculture technology at ARK Inc., and visiting the Ryu Lab startup base at the University of the Ryukyus to learn how the university integrates campus resources with startup collaboration to build a comprehensive talent cultivation system. Additionally, hand-harvesting "Green Caviar" (sea grapes) at " Uminchi" allowed students to see firsthand how Okinawa develops traditional marine resources into a high-value "Blue Economy."
Furthermore, students visited the Koza Startup Arcade, a magnificent transformation of an old shopping street. Led by representative Kenichiro Toyosato, they learned how Koza turned from a quiet shopping district into an innovation hub that attracts thousands of people annually, while engaging with local investors and startup teams.
Beyond professional field studies, the team also traversed American Village, downtown Okinawa, and Kokusai Dori, seeking innovative inspiration amidst deep history and modern American flair.
This five-day journey allowed students to experience island culture while witnessing Okinawa's transformation from a tourist destination into a dynamic "Tech Innovation Island."
More about the Overseas Internship Program: https://internshipabroad.ntu.edu.tw/
