Quantum City ready to make big moves with universe’s tiniest objects

UCalgary’s quantum science and technology community will be expanding with the help of a $23-million investment from the Government of Alberta. The funding, provided through the Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy and Alberta’s Recovery Plan, will help fund UCalgary’s Quantum City initiative for the next five years.

Quantum City will establish quantum infrastructure, talent development programs and commercialization pathways to support the development of a vibrant economic and scientific hub based in Calgary. 

“Alberta is poised for growth in the quantum technologies space,” says Doug Schweitzer, minister of jobs, economy and innovation. “With this investment in Quantum City, Alberta’s innovators will have the support they need to develop products and solutions to solve global challenges. This investment will support businesses that can transform industries for the future, diversify our economy and support good-paying jobs for Albertans."

“I wish to thank the province for supporting this innovative new venture at UCalgary that will benefit our city and our province,” says Dr. Ed McCauley, president of the University of Calgary. “With Quantum City, we’re starting something big. This science will change everything. From nanotechnology and artificial intelligence — to quantum internet and biomedical engineering — UCalgary is establishing our city as a global leader in the quantum revolution.”

Building strength in quantum through collaboration and industry engagement

“Quantum City will elevate quantum research in Calgary to be amongst the strongest globally,” says Dr. Barry Sanders, PhD, scientific director of Quantum City.

A robust talent pool is critical to that goal. “Quantum City is enabling the launch of new training programs such as a professional master's degree in quantum computing being launched in 2023, industry internships, research scholarships and fellowships, and training tools developed with the university's anchor industry partner Mphasis,” says Sanders.

Mphasis, an information technology solutions provider specializing in cloud and cognitive services, was named as a partner in Quantum City in June 2021.

“We’re excited to partner with the University of Calgary and the Government of Alberta on Quantum City,” says Nitin Rakesh, executive director and CEO of Mphasis. “The Quantum Computing lab at UCalgary aligns with our area of focus and will further bolster the tech transformation journey of our Fortune 500 clients. Together we aim to strengthen Calgary’s position as a global technology hub by driving research and innovation locally, and generating next-gen technology talent to meet the skill demand of the region."

Quantum City will be a connection point for organizations in Calgary who are ready to take part in the quantum revolution.

“I am especially excited to carry quantum computing and other quantum technologies outside university laboratories,” says Sanders. “We want to work with Calgary's industries and organizations that can benefit from this new wave of revolutionary technology.”