Queens and Xanadu will work together to develop quantum educational tools and programs to support the growth of quantum talent in Canada
KINGSTON, Feb 9, 2023 /CNW/ - Queen’s University and Xanadu, the world leader in photonic quantum computing, are pleased to announce a new partnership supporting the growth of quantum talent and the development of quantum technologies in Canada. Queen’s and Xanadu have recently signed a memorandum of understanding demonstrating their commitment to developing quantum computing educational tools and programs to equip students for careers in the field while pushing the boundaries of existing quantum technologies with research and development initiatives.
The Government of Canada recently announced the National Quantum Strategy investing heavily in the research, talent, and commercialization of quantum technologies. Queen’s and Xanadu’s partnership goals mirror these three core focus areas. The partnership will develop quantum computing educational capacities utilizing Xanadu's hardware and software. Resources such as PennyLane, Xanadu's open-source quantum computing software widely used for quantum machine learning, chemistry, and optimization, will be incorporated into educational offerings to train the talent of tomorrow. Giving students access to world-class quantum education provides an incredible launching platform to set them up for success in quantum roles.
“A cornerstone of my teaching practice is creating learning experiences that reflect the way we work at the forefront of science and engineering. Partnering with Xanadu gives our students an invaluable window into this world through hands-on experience with quantum computing approaches that will define the professional environment for many of their future careers,” says Greg van Anders, Assistant Professor, Condensed Matter Physics and Optics, Queen’s Engineering and Applied Physics.
The partnership complements each institution’s mission. Queen’s aims to provide exceptional student experiences while attracting and cultivating excellence and leadership, pushing the boundaries of knowledge through research and being an essential catalyst for advancing knowledge mobilization for global impact. Xanadu aims to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.
With Xanadu providing unique access to hardware and software for students to learn and develop their skills, both Queen’s and Xanadu are working together to build a foundation for a robust quantum talent pipeline in Canada.
"We are particularly excited to work with the instructors and students at Queen's to develop new approaches to education in quantum programming, which is essential to preparing students for the new kinds of jobs that will be available to them in the growing quantum computing industry," says Jen Dodd, Quantum Community Lead, Xanadu.
“Queen’s is pleased to form this partnership with Xanadu. We look forward to working together to advance quantum computing and the sector in Canada. Through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and talent development, we aim to cultivate additional opportunities, partners, projects, or funding opportunities that will be beneficial to both organizations, our students, and to Canada,” says Jim Banting, Assistant Vice-Principal, Partnerships and Innovation (Research), Queen’s University.
About Xanadu: Xanadu is a Canadian quantum computing company with the mission to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere. Founded in 2016, Xanadu has become one of the world's leading quantum hardware and software companies. The company also leads the development of PennyLane, an open-source software library for quantum computing and application development. Visit www.xanadu.ai or follow us on Twitter @XanaduAI.
About Queen’s University: Queen’s University is highly-ranked in Canada for student experience, taking an inclusive approach and offering learning beyond the classroom. Queen’s research-intensive environment and interdisciplinary program offerings provide students with the comprehensive and nimble skills required in today’s competitive and evolving workforce. The Vice-Principal Research Portfolio’s mission is to be an essential catalyst for advancing research and knowledge mobilization, strengthening Queen’s local, national, and global impact. Queen's Partnerships and Innovation (QPI) develops and facilitates partnerships with industry, governments, not-for-profit organizations, and other academic institutions to advance the research enterprise at Queen’s and the commercialization and protection of inventions.