April 2022, Hyderabad: InternationalInstitute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIITH) hosted the first national symposium under the Quantum Enabled Science and Technology (QuEST) program initiated by DST from 11- 13 April 2022.  The Symposium was organised by national coordinator of QuEST Prof. Arun K Pati from HRI, Prayagraj, andProf. Apoorva Patel from IISc, Bangalore, co-ordinator of QuEST.

The symposium was hosted by IIITH’s Centre for Quantum Science andTechnology (CQST) with a focus on the latest research and development in the areas of Quantum Computing, Quantum Information Science andQuantum Technology. QuEST’s hybrid model brought together academics and industry researchers from across the country and included review/tutorials, and invited as well as contributed talks.

Prof. Patisaid, “Over the past 3 decades, the field of Quantum Computing and QuantumInformation has evolved from theoretical possibilities to real practical applications. Keeping that in view, Department of Science and Technology(DST) initiated the Quantum Enabled Science and Technology (QuEST)program. QUEST is poised toward making India Quantum ready and moving forward for the larger National Quantum Mission.”

In his inaugural speech DST Secretary Dr Srivari Chandrasekhar emphasized the need for Institutes to focus on research translations and real world solutions, going beyond publishing research papers and patents. Commending IIITH on its pioneering research, he was especially appreciative of its lab to land efforts and for setting up CQST, one of India’s dedicated and largest academic quantum science and technology centre. Confident that India would be a leader in quantum computing by 2030, Dr Chandrasekhar reiterated that, “The Govt of India is committed to investing in new technologies so that the true potential of the nation is realized”.

Prof P JNarayanan said, “Quantum computing, communication, etc., are truly technologies with high future potential in which we must invest time and money today. IIIT Hyderabad has built a strong group in its CQST and aspires to play a major role in the country combining expertise in Quantum Science & Technology with the Institute’s expertise in broad computing areas.” Dr. Indranil Chakrabarty from CQST said,”Organizing this kind of initiative and meetings in future will be of great importance from the CQST perspective in building up the ecosystem asCQST is very much dedicated and focused in achieving excellence in the area ofQuantum Science and Technology “