During the three-day event the 70 participants, divided into 14 teams each reflecting the geographical and professional diversity, have worked on solving problems on topics proposed by mentors using quantum computers and the Qiskit library of the Python programming language. The jury consisting of local and international experts awarded Eliška Krátká (FIT) and her team a second prize worth of 15,000 NTD, while Artem Kandaurov (FNSPE), Michael Wagner (FIT), and Marek Bína (FIT) and their teams received industry awards each worth of 10,000 NTD. The first prize and an industry award were given to teams consisting of participants from Keio, Yonsei, NTU and other institutions from Taiwan.
“Quantum computing requires radically different thinking than most people are used to. Students have shown amazing skill and creativity in applying methods of quantum information processing to tackle these problems,” said Dr. Ivo Petr, Department of Applied Mathematics, FIT, guarantor and lecturer of the course “Quantum algorithms and programming”, who introduced all six students to quantum algorithms and Qiskit. While quantum computing is still in its relative infancy, its disruptive potential makes it an important and strategic technology recognized globally. CTU is addressing the need for experts in this new field by starting a new master’s programme Quantum Informatics in collaboration between FNSPE, FIT and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEE), building on the assets in research and education as well as student talent at all three faculties. Just like the Quantum Technologies masters programme at FNSPE, the Quantum Informatics programme will be part of the European Quantum Flagship’s project DigiQ, aiming at transforming the European educational ecosystem.
Participation at the NTU Qiskit Hackathon and the visit to Taiwan is a step in establishing ties to partners in the region. It was enabled by the visit of top governmental officials in March and June led by the President of the Chamber of Deputies Mrs. Pekarová-Adamová and the Deputy Prime Minister for Digitisation and Minister of Regional Development Mr. Bartoš and representatives of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic. “There is great potential in expanding cooperation on quantum technologies to partners in Taiwan, Japan and Korea who are mastering the technological basis underpinning the second quantum revolution, and are seeking international partners with strong research in more fundamental sciences such as in the Czech Republic” says Prof. Igor Jex, Department of Physics, FNSPE, who is the coordinator of quantum technology activities at CTU, and is leading the project for the design, preparation and accreditation of the Quantum Informatics master’s programme, as well as co-coordinating the implementation of the national quantum communication infrastructure as part of the pan-European EuroQCI project.
