IIT Madras collaborates with IBM on quantum computing education

Spearheading quantum computing education, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras has announced its collaboration with IBM. The Quantum Computing Lab courses will include hands-on lab sessions on the IBM quantum systems.

Chennai: Indian Institute of Technology, Madras has announced its collaboration with IBM on quantum computing education and research. This collaboration will provide IIT Madras faculty, researchers, and students access to IBM’s quantum systems and tools over IBM Cloud. It will help in accelerating joint research in quantum computing, and develop curricula to help prepare students for careers that will be influenced by this next era of computing, across science and business, according to a statement from IIT Madras.

The Quantum Computing Lab courses jointly taught by IIT Madras faculty and IBM researchers will include hands-on 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 needed by the faculty and students.

The Metropolitan Area Quantum Access Network (MAQAN), and the Centre for Field Programmable Photonic Gate Arrays (FPPGAs) are large initiatives at IIT Madras, supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.

Dr. Gargi Dasgupta, Director, 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.”

Elaborating on the importance of quantum technology, Prof. 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)," he added.

IIT Madras had introduced the Interdisciplinary Dual Degree (IDDD) program on ‘Quantum Science and Technologies’ (QuEST) in July 2020. The Quantum Computing Lab at IIT Madras will host courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students and better prepare for a career in quantum science and technology.