Computers, measurements systems, encryption and much more will be based on quantum science in the near future. In order to ensure better education and stronger recruitment for its many quantum-related study programmes, Copenhagen Science City partner, University of Copenhagen, is now establishing a Quantum Technology Training Laboratory for pupils from primary school to Ph.D. level. The training lab will house research infrastructure of a quality usually reserved for established researchers. Giving younger students access to this class of equipment is a world’s first.

Ensuring a pipeline of highly qualified graduates

Equipment at the lab will include so-called low-temperature cryostats which are suitable for testing prototypes of quantum computers and other quantum hardware. The aim of University of Copenhagens’ Niels Bohr Institute in giving students access to such high-class equipment is, to allow them to gain crucial experience through experimentation. For an innovation district with a swiftly growing quantum innovation eco-system, this lab fills an important gap.

The Niels Bohr Institute is part of Copenhagen Science City, which is a global hot-spot for quantum science. Increasingly, we are seeing companies growing out of local labs or coming from abroad to take advantage of our great pool of quantum talent. I am confident that this lab will contribute to the pool of talent”: Joachim Mathiesen, Interim Head of Department, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen

Supplementary education for tech-company staff

Another plan for the Quantum Technology Training Laboratory is to facilitate collaboration with companies. This could be through continuing education for their staff or case competitions, where student find solutions to problems set by companies.

Generous donation

The lab will be part of a Niels Bohr Institute education centre ”Center for Educational Quantum Advantage”. It is made possible by a 49,5 million DKK donation from the foundation “A.P. Møller og Hustru Chastine Mc-Kinney Møllers Fond til almene Formaal”.

Early development of scientific potential

A unique aspect of the Niels Bohr Institute training lab is, that the initiators plan to invite students in elementary and secondary school programmes as well. The reasoning behind this bold move is, that access to relevant equipment will help more young people develop their scientific potential and inspire them to join quantum related study programmes at University of Copenhagen.

Strengthening a global hotspot

The founding of the training lab is announced just as 43 students are joining a new Master of Science degree programme in quantum information science. Here up and coming computer scientists, mathematicians and physicists will learn a shared “Quantum Language” before branching out to various specialisations. Copenhagen Science City is also home to world leading fundamental research in quantum technology and an accelerator programme for start-ups based on quantum insights.

About Copenhagen Science City

Copenhagen Science City is a two square kilometre innovation district in the heart of the Danish capital. Here, University of Copenhagen, University Hospital Rigshospitalet and University College Copenhagen are working to create optimal conditions for students and researchers dreaming of starting a business, and for companies who need to develop, validate or test their products in collaboration with the knowledge institutions.