During this year’s edition of the Q-Con conference - which brings together the academic and business communities on an equal footing and is dedicated to the practical applications of quantum solutions - the Pomeranian Quantum Declaration was signed. The signatories to the document are the University of Gdańsk, the Gdańsk Economic Development Agency InvestGDA, the Pomerania Development Agency and Kainos. The declaration provides for multi-faceted cooperation in the development and implementation of modern quantum technologies, in recognition of their crucial importance for security, economic development and social progress at both regional and global levels. During the conference, a cooperation agreement was also signed between ICTQT and the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone, the aim of which is, amongst other things, to create an incubation model for quantum start-ups.
Quantum technologies are no longer a vision of the distant future - they are becoming a real-world tool that is already being applied in many areas of life, from cybersecurity to biotechnology. The University of Gdańsk, together with its International Centre for Theory of Quantum Technologies, has for years been building a strong international scientific community conducting world-class research into quantum issues. The solutions developed by researchers at the University of Gdańsk, including those relating to quantum cryptography, are also protected by patents and implemented commercially. However, both research and implementation work require dynamic cooperation between the academic community and the socio-economic environment, so that groundbreaking scientific research can respond as effectively and as quickly as possible to the practical problems and needs of the modern world. The documents signed today establish a formal framework for the further development of this cooperation.
Pooling potential and strong social capital
‘I am delighted that, once again, the University of Gdańsk is the main organiser and host of this exceptional event, Q-Con,’ said the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. Piotr Stepnowski, during a press briefing prior to the signing of the Declaration. ‘This is a multifaceted event, providing an opportunity to present the latest research into the application of quantum technologies in many aspects of our lives, foremost among which are cybersecurity and quantum cryptography, but also many other highly practical solutions on which we are successfully working here at our university as well. It is here, in Gdańsk, at the University of Gdańsk, but also more broadly - in Pomerania, as confirmed by today’s signing of the Declaration - that we are witnessing an extraordinary concentration of intellectual and technological potential, as well as prospects for the development of quantum technologies.’
As the Managing Director of the Pomerania Development Agency, Katarzyna Matuszak-Dzierżyńska, noted, one of the most important issues in implementing new technologies is the ability to ensure an adequate workforce. Close cooperation with the University of Gdańsk enables us to meet this need, creating ideal conditions for the further development of practical applications of quantum technologies right here in Pomerania.
‘When we talk about the development of quantum technologies in Gdańsk, we are not merely riding a trend, but building on a genuine area of specialisation established by the University of Gdańsk in the form of a strong, international research centre, featuring key figures in this field. We are therefore building on a strong, well-developed, specialised and professional social capital,’ said Paweł Orłowski, Chief Executive of the Gdańsk Economic Development Agency InvestGDA.
Patryk Jar, representing Kainos, congratulated the team from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics on organising the conference. He pointed out that this was already the third edition of Q-Con, and noted that this year’s event had attracted over 300 participants representing leading research centres and commercial firms working in the field of quantum technologies, not only from Poland but also from various countries around the world. He also mentioned other initiatives co-organised by Kainos and the University of Gdańsk, including the recently concluded summer school on quantum security and the ‘Science Amphitheatre’ event aimed at secondary school pupils.
The Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics at the University of Gdańsk, dr hab. Marcin Marciniak, prof. UG, also took the floor: ‘I would like to emphasise one thing: what I find particularly valuable is precisely the collaboration with Kainos - a partner from the business community. It is quite a unique situation for a university and a technology company to organise such an event as equal partners. I believe this is the most important aspect - we are not organising this conference in isolation, but in collaboration with the community to which it is, in fact, addressed; this is proof that we want scientific achievements to also serve a social purpose, so that new technologies can be integrated into our lives, utilised in a business context, and so that all of this functions within a holistic, coherent ecosystem.’
A tailor-made incubation programme for quantum start-ups
In the afternoon, a letter of intent was also signed regarding cooperation between the International Centre for Theory of Quantum Technologies and the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone Ltd. Its aim is to establish cooperation for the development of quantum technologies and to increase the application of scientific research findings in the economy. The collaboration will focus in particular on supporting the transfer and commercialisation of research findings, as well as the development of start-ups and other ventures operating in the field of quantum technologies; increasing the participation of research teams and enterprises in national, European and international research and innovation projects, and strengthening the position of the Pomeranian Voivodeship and Poland in the quantum technology sector.
‘It is worth recalling that Polish quantum research began right here, in Gdańsk,’ said ICTQT Director prof. Marek Żukowski during the signing of the agreement. -We hope that the solutions we are proposing will attract enthusiasts who will want to commercialise them.
‘Working with quantum technologies is incredibly inspiring,’ said PSSE Vice-Chairman of the Management Board Michał Szczupaczyński. ‘We are at the start of a wonderful journey; we do not yet know where it will lead, but one thing is certain - as everyone agrees - it will change the world far more than the devices being presented today. Our agreement concerns, amongst other things, the creation of a tailor-made incubation pathway for start-ups specialising in quantum technologies.’
During the press briefing, the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. Piotr Stepnowski, also announced the forthcoming launch of a popular science book on quantum physics and artificial intelligence, which has been prepared by scientists and honorary doctors of the University of Gdańsk. The publication will introduce a wider audience to both the fundamental concepts and the latest research and challenges relating to quantum theory and AI.