The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras is all set to collaborate with IBM on quantum computing education and research. As a part of the collaboration, IIT Madras faculty, researchers and students will get access to IBM’s quantum systems and tools over IBM Cloud.
Anil Prabhakar, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras said, “Quantum Computing offers us the opportunity to solve computationally intractable problems. We have played a leadership role in the indigenous development of quantum key distribution (QKD), having demonstrated distributed phase reference QKD at distances up to 150 km. Such QKD protocols form the building blocks for quantum networks that will secure our communications, and also enable new paradigms such as photonic quantum computing and distributed and blind quantum computing. Our demonstrations are backed by a growing portfolio of patents on technologies such as quantum random number and heralded photon generation.”
The Quantum Computing Lab at IIT Madras will host courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The course will facilitate joint research in quantum computing, and develop curriculum to help prepare students for careers influenced by the next era of computing, across science and business. The courses will be jointly taught by IIT Madras faculty and IBM researchers. It will include lab sessions on the IBM quantum systems and will augment existing courses on quantum information and computing. IBM will provide the learning resources, tools, and systems access for faculty and students.
Gargi Dasgupta, Director of IBM Research India, said, “Quantum computing is fast emerging as one of the disruptive technologies of our times. IBM is committed to supporting educators like IIT Madras who are shaping the next generation of quantum innovators through various initiatives and programs. This collaboration with IIT Madras is part of the IBM Quantum Educators program that helps teachers in the quantum field connect with one another and provide learning resources, tools and systems access they need to provide quality educational experiences.”
Earlier last year, IIT Madras introduced an Interdisciplinary Dual Degree programme on Quantum Science and Technologies.
