UPT Quantum Hub - Quantum Communications Getting Closer to Implementation
UPT Quantum Hub - Quantum Communications Getting Closer to Implementation
The first UPT Quantum Hub workshop, aiming to start a Quantum ecosystem in Timisoara, started on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at the Conference Center of Politehnica University Timisoara. The university aims to attract teachers, IT professionals, students, master's and doctoral candidates interested in the new computing and communication technologies emerging in the quantum field. Therefore, the workshop was designed as a series of introductory lectures intended to spark interest in scientific and technical topics related to quantum computing.
In this regard, speakers were invited from Equal1, a startup developing a commercial quantum processor, Eviden Germany/Romania (formerly ATOS), a company researching quantum computing and the impact of communications on the future of cybersecurity, and from Politehnica University Timisoara, which is involved in the national project RoNaQCI.
The topics covered included: An introduction to quantum computers (Mihai Udrescu, UPT), Modeling quantum algorithms with IBM Qiskit (Sebastian Ardelean, UPT), An introduction to quantum physics (Elena Blokhina, Equal1), Quantum computing and computational complexity theory (Niall Murphy, Equal1), Quantum computing using Eviden Qaptiva (Michael Bauer, Eviden Germany).
The event was organized at the initiative of Prof. Dr. Eng. Mihai Udrescu (UPT) and Valentin Mureșan (Equal1), with the support of the IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT), Romania Section.
UPT Quantum Hub is part of the national research project RoNaQCI – Romanian National Quantum Communication Infrastructure, which aims to develop in Romania a quantum communication infrastructure spanning over 1,500 kilometers and create six metropolitan networks in the cities of Bucharest, Iași, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Craiova, and Constanța, with 36 QKD links covering the entire country and connecting 10 universities, 5 research institutes, 5 public institutions, 3 data centers, and a medical clinic, with future links planned for interconnection with the European network in the field.
Quantum communications represent a frontier field in its early stages of development, and the RoNaQCI project represents a significant step forward in implementing state-of-the-art quantum communication technology to address the most critical challenges of the digital age. Moreover, the project is in perfect alignment with the Digital Europe program, as its main objective is to build and implement a secure quantum communication infrastructure in Romania, serving as the local backbone for a future "quantum internet" on a larger scale within the EU. The primary advantage of quantum communications lies in the security of transmitted data, thanks to much stronger encryption algorithms.
The quantum communications node in Timisoara is coordinated by Politehnica University Timisoara and the West University, with beneficiaries including the Timis County School Inspectorate and the OncoHelp Clinic.
Recently, Politehnica University Timisoara inaugurated the Center for Quantum Communications and Computing Training, located within the Electro building, which will provide training in quantum technology for specialists who will install, configure, and manage quantum computing and communication facilities and equipment in the Western region of the country. The center will also offer certifications in quantum technologies. Furthermore, Politehnica University Timisoara has extensive expertise in quantum technologies, with over 20 years of research activities and even master's level courses since 2007.
