A&M-Texarkana and Japanese Technology Company AIST Solutions Sign Educational/Research Partnership Agreement

TEXARKANA, Texas – Texas A&M University-Texarkana has announced that a new educational and research partnership has been formed between the University and the technology company AIST Solutions Co. (AISol), based in Japan. AIST Solutions develops solutions across several different fields, including AI/Semiconductor, Material DX, Digital Platform, Energy Solution, Circular Economy, Biotechnology, and Wellbeing. The partnership was formed between AIST Solutions and A&M-Texarkana, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the A&M-Texarkana campus. This marks the first time AIST Solutions has entered a partnership with any American university. Four members of the AIST Group leadership team were on hand for the signing event, including Mr. Seiji Osaka, CEO of AIST Solutions Co.

AIST Solutions Co. was established on April 1, 2023, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), one of Japan’s largest national research institutions. The company’s mission is to promote the utilization and social implementation of research and development outcomes generated by AIST, with the goal of solving societal challenges and strengthening industrial competitiveness. By leveraging AIST’s extensive technological assets and research resources, AIST Solutions actively engages in marketing activities to drive open innovation, build innovation ecosystems, and create new business opportunities that respond to the evolving needs of society and industry. In furtherance of these goals, in May 2024, AISol launched a wholly owned subsidiary, AIST Solutions America LLC (AISol America). AISol America aims to further advance AIST Solutions’ efforts to form research partnerships and support technology startups in a variety of areas. AISol America has established its base in Wake Village, from which it partners with local universities and businesses to address regional industrial challenges.

Under the academic partnership portion of A&M-Texarkana’s agreement with AIST Solutions, all employees of AIST Group will receive a tuition discount on all undergraduate, graduate, certificate, or micro-credential programs at A&M-Texarkana, whether delivered in-person, online, or through a hybrid format. The agreement also waives the standard application fee. Beyond the tuition discount, any eligible AIST Group employee who is a new student at the University will receive the First Flight Scholarship, which gives the new students their first class free if they are enrolled in at least 6 hours at the undergraduate or graduate level.

In addition to the academic partnership, the University and AIST Solutions have agreed to form a research partnership that leverages AIST Solutions’ research and intellectual property (IP) infrastructure with A&M-Texarkana’s current and future academic programs in the areas of Engineering, Computing, and Technology. The globally focused research collaborations will involve University faculty members and students and will be intentionally focused on local industry problems and solutions.

“We are excited to announce our new partnership with AIST Solutions,” said Texas A&M University-Texarkana President Dr. Ross Alexander. “We welcome the opportunity to help AIST Group employees further their education at A&M-Texarkana. Additionally, the research portion of the collaboration puts our students and faculty in direct contact with industry-leading experts to help solve some of the technology problems faced by our local businesses and industry. A&M-Texarkana students will gain experience in solving real-world problems that have a direct positive impact on our local economy. These kinds of experiential learning opportunities help make A&M-Texarkana graduates highly desirable in the workforce.”