To drive disruption in current and future technologies like quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and even a quantum internet, a group of Alberta's brightest academics and most promising young minds are coming together this week in Calgary to learn new techniques, share best practices, and brainstorm ways to push the boundaries of knowledge in quantum nanotechnology.
"Our effort is to keep Alberta on the map in terms of quantum technology," said John P. Davis, University of Alberta physics professor and lead of the Quanta CREATE program, focused on training graduate students at the Universities of Alberta and Calgary in emerging quantum technologies. "We are focused on making Alberta a hub of future quantum technologies, and we are bringing some major players here to not only learn from some of academia's and industry's best but also to show off some of the exciting initiatives already happening in our province."
The weeks' events include a graduate student-driven presentation and poster series on Monday and Tuesday, followed by a workshop Wednesday by Quantum Alberta, and capped off with a future quantum technology with spin series on Thursday and Friday. The events include a number of invited international speakers and are open to faculty, graduate students, and industry representatives.
The momentum for quantum technology in Alberta continues to magnify, and this week's events are the latest evidence of the strong pipeline of talented minds being educated and trained in Alberta.
"By strengthening our educational offerings and bringing the country's best here to train our students, we are strengthening the pipeline for the talent needed to build and sustain our quantum technology future within Alberta and beyond in Canada and the world," said Lindsay LeBlanc, physics professor at the University of Alberta and Canada Research Chair in Ultracold Atoms for Quantum Simulation. "Initiatives like this supplement graduate education, encourage an entrepreneurial atmosphere, and inspire next generation ideas today to help diversity Alberta's economy tomorrow."