Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

This Terms of Use and Privacy Policy applies to those who create user accounts on the system, hereinafter User, which Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, hereinafter OIST, maintains for the Aluminate Community Builder Platform System, hereinafter collectively referred to as the System.

Description of the System is described for the link below:

Aluminate is a community platform for members of the OIST Alumni (including former students and postdoctoral researchers) and Associates Network (OAAN) that enables these individuals across the globe to connect, stay engaged and help each other, and participate in regional and OIST events through and after their journey at OIST.   

Terms of Use

Notes on submitting information

The User undertakes to enter all personal information truthfully.

From the submitted information, OIST will provide support to the User, necessary to carry out various administrative functions and logistics arrangements. 

Consent to electronic communication

The entire process of being added to the User list is conducted electronically through the System and all correspondence is done by e-mail and/or through the System. The User undertakes to check their account as well as e-mail on a regular basis for the duration of activity with OIST necessary to conclude all administrative tasks.

OIST Alumni and Associates Network (OAAN) membership

In accordance with the OIST Alumni and Associates Network regulations, being added to the User list automatically implies a membership of the OAAN. For the rights and obligations of members of the OIST Alumni, please refer to the statutory regulations.

Regulations for the OAAN membership

The membership of the OAAN is confirmed by annually updating User's personal information. Once every year, all members are prompted by e-mail to update their profile. If this update does not occur, the membership is terminated. In accordance with the OAAN regulations, a one-year membership is the mandatory minimum for all Users.

Privacy Policy

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University is very concerned with protecting personal information. OIST processes personal information that is collected when visiting the System in accordance with Act on the Protection of Personal Information (Act No. 57 of May 30, 2003). When logging on to the System, personal information is collected for administration purposes.

The following informs User on how, to what extent, and for what purpose OIST collects and process personal information.

Logging

The Aluminate Community Builder System is hosted by the Aluminati Network Group and managed by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University. Every time pages on the System are accessed, the servers temporarily save the following information in log files:

  • IP address of accessing computer
  • Date and time of access
  • Name, URL and amount of data transmitted
  • Access report (requested file transferred, not found etc.)
  • Type of browser and operating system (if transmitted by the accessing browser)
  • Website from which the System was accessed (if transmitted by the accessing browser)

Processing the information in this log file happens as follows:

  • The log entries are automatically analyzed in real time to detect attacks and take the appropriate action.
  • In special cases, i.e. in case of reported malfunctions, errors and security breaches, the database will be analyzed in person.

Cookies

When visiting the System, the browser saves so-called session cookies to the User's computer. Cookies are small text-only files that serve to make Aluminate’s services more user-friendly and efficient. Cookies do not damage User's computer and also do not contain viruses. Cookies will be deleted after closing User's browsing session. User can disable the function for saving cookies in the settings of User's browser.

Please be advised that disabling the saving of cookies imposes no limitations on 'guest' Users.

Processing and sharing of personal information

The System collects personal information. This information is stored for the User to create a profile on the System and search and access its features. The data are maintained to optimize System functionality for the User.

The following information may be collected for the purposes of administration:

  • Personal information (last name, first name, e-mail address, geographical location, password).
  • Information on the user’s interests, including but not limited to: career interests, mentoring interests, program and event topics, hobbies, scientific research interests, etc.