Finland and Singapore to collaborate on quantum technologies

• Finland and Singapore’s National Quantum Office ink MoU to strengthen  research cooperation on quantum technologies.
• The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of quantum technology hardware components, as well as algorithms and applications.
• Both countries will look into the areas of quantum-accelerated high-performance computing and both terrestrial and satellite quantum communications. 

Developing quantum technology isn’t a small — only a small number of countries have the capacity and technological know-how to compete. A handful of countries today have established significant quantum research and development programs, and the race is heating up. Not only are quantum technologies highly sought after, demand for talents are also rising as more organizations look to leverage the technology.

On that note, Finland and Singapore’s National Quantum Office this week had decided on collaborating in the areas of quantum technologies, with the intention to both explore and promote research development within this revolutionary space. The National Quantum Office of Singapore, VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, IQM Quantum Computers, and CSC Finland signed an MoU yesterday, paving the way for versatile technology development and knowledge exchange on national strategic roadmaps for quantum technologies.

Under the MoU, the parties aim to accelerate the development of quantum technology hardware components, algorithms and applications, and collaborate in the areas of quantum-accelerated high-performance computing and both terrestrial and satellite quantum communications. The cooperation agreement also leverages the parties’ respective strengths and expertise in quantum related technology. 

For context, VTT comes with a three decade experience of research in development and commercialisation of quantum technology solutions and is hosting Finland’s first quantum computer Helmi. CSC’s expertise lies in scientific computing solutions based on state-of-the-art research ICT infrastructures. The enterprise recently celebrated the inauguration of the pan-European LUMI supercomputer, the most powerful in Europe. 

IQM on the other hand, is the European leader in building quantum computers for supercomputing centers and research laboratories. “The National Quantum Office’s collaboration with the Finnish quantum ecosystem is a tremendous opportunity to develop competitive and world leading quantum technologies, and nurture quantum talent. We look forward to pushing the frontiers of quantum technologies, and delivering impact for the ecosystem,” Singapore’s NQO executive director Ling Keok Tong said.

The National Quantum Office is basically responsible for the development and execution of Singapore’s National Quantum Strategy to advance Singapore’s quantum technologies, talent and ecosystem development. So far, three national level quantum programmes had been launched; the National Quantum Computing Hub, National Quantum-Safe Network and the National Quantum Fabless Foundry. 

Those programmes bring together expertise and facilities from the Center for Quantum Technologies’ teams at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University Singapore, A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering and the National Supercomputing Center Singapore.

“VTT is honored to bring together organizations from within the Finnish quantum ecosystem and Singapore’s cutting edge know-how in the field of quantum computing. We are also looking forward to exploring the opportunities this cooperation can offer to VTT relating to quantum hardware and software development. I also believe that the cooperation between our countries will eventually benefit the whole quantum industry”, VTT’s Digital Technologies executive VP Erja Turunen noted.

 

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