Mphasis grants Rs. 21 Crore to IIT M for fundamental and applied research in quantum technologies and to set up a Quantum Lab, that address real-world business and societal challenges
Bengaluru, NFAPost: Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT M) and Mphasis, a leading Information Technology (IT) solutions provider specializing in cloud and cognitive services, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to:
· Create a hub for quantum science and technology that produces top-quality graduates
· Promote fundamental and applied research in quantum technologies
· Democratize access to education in quantum technologies
· Assist start-ups aligned to relevant domains and
· Develop and attract talent to the quantum ecosystem by offering a limited number of high-value top-up scholarships to students who excel in research
· Support higher education and students whose research in quantum science and specific quantum architectures will be recognized and have a significant societal impact.
This initiative is funded by Mphasis F1 Foundation, (the CSR arm of Mphasis) with a grant of Rs. 21 crores over five years. Countries all over the world are increasingly seen investing in Research & Development (R&D) in the field of Quantum.
The partnership will fortify India’s leadership in quantum information, develop comprehensive training, and create quality resources for education and training in quantum computing. Together, IIT M and Mphasis, would enable the development and attraction of talent to the quantum ecosystem by offering a limited number of high-value top-up scholarships to students who excel in research, full-time foreign students, and post-doctoral researchers, who will be offered globally competitive remuneration along with accessible and curated course materials.
Additionally, the collaboration will democratise quantum learning through training programs tailored to specific industries, online certification programs through the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), and continuing education through IITM’s web enabled MTech program on Quantum Science and Technology (QuST).
IIT Madras Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations) Prof Mahesh Panchagnula said this partnership will create a consortium of Government, Academia, and Industry that will focus on research, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to solve challenges currently limiting the industrial applications of quantum science and technologies.
“This hub or quantum centre will also collaborate with global universities and disseminate its research findings through workshops, peer-reviewed papers, and conferences,” said IIT Madras Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations) Prof Mahesh Panchagnula.
Mphasis Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Srikanth Karra Quantum technology is at the brim; revolutionising Quantum computing, sensing, and communication is leading to the emergence of new businesses and business models.
“Our collaboration with IIT Madras and the Government of India will enable us to harness the vast potential of quantum computing, enabling top capabilities and skills development for the future,” said Mphasis Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Srikanth Karra.
“The collaboration tangibly demonstrates our ambition to bring the most innovative, breakthrough solutions and invest in capabilities early on to stay ahead of the curve. Building a cohesive industry for quantum computing necessitates a concentrated effort to develop the ecosystem across sectors and that is what we aim to achieve with our partnership,” he added.
Elaborating on the projects to be taken up by this program, IIT Madras Department of Electrical Engineering Prof Anil Prabhakar said over a period of five years, the research will primarily focus on the expanses of Quantum Optimisation, Quantum Finance, Quantum Chemistry, Quantum Communication, Quantum Error Correction and Quantum Tomography.
“The lab built through this partnership will harness the potential of quantum technologies and uncover the areas expected to achieve early gains with quantum computers and migrate real-world use cases onto quantum computers. It will also evaluate the societal needs and consequences of having access to quantum computers and employ quantum computers for basic research,” said IIT Madras Department of Electrical Engineering Prof Anil Prabhakar.
With this core objective, an ‘Industry-Academia Conclave’ was also organized today (22nd July 2022) – as one of many events under this partnership, bringing together various stakeholders in Quantum Technology, witnessing participation from Pfizer, Goldman Sachs, KLA, Mphasis, Larsen & Turbo Infotech (LTI), IBM amongst others.
At this industry-academia conclave, leading companies focused on the emerging field of quantum computing and academic researchers working in quantum, exchanged information and ideas, helping each other understand market demand and research developments, respectively. Academic research in this domain is now becoming increasingly relevant and valuable to the ecosystem thus paving way for greater involvement by technology companies in applied research.
Mphasis Chief Solutions Officer Ramanathan Srikumar said Mphasis is at the forefront in using quantum computers for machine learning, optimization, and simulation problems.
“We envision quantum computing as a significant driver in solving future business problems. The research focus would be around the domains of information, communication, and computing. It will bring together faculty from different engineering and science disciplines and focus on enhancing industrial applications of quantum science and technologies,” said Mphasis Chief Solutions Officer Ramanathan Srikumar.
