The Quantum Algorithms Institute at Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Surrey campus, will receive $2,210,000 million in federal funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD). The funding will help it accelerate the innovation and commercialization of quantum technologies.
The institute will also use the funds to renovate its state-of-the-art physical hub to facilitate engagement activities such as hosting collaborative events between industry and academia, organizing quantum technology conferences for local and international players, and promoting collaboration between existing quantum companies and potential new customers.
In addition, this funding will help the institute train and grow a world-leading talent pool for this emerging industry.
“On behalf of the Institute, SFU and all partners, I would like to thank Western Economic Diversification Canada for their generous support,” says Dugan O’Neil, SFU’s vice-president of research and international. “This funding will further contribute to the mission of the Institute in bringing academia, industry and government together, and raise awareness of the province’s flourishing reputation as a leader in quantum computing.”
Quantum technology is a new generation of optical and electronic devices that use quantum effects to significantly enhance the performance over that of existing technologies.
For example, quantum computers will be able to solve problems that the largest classical supercomputers would take thousands of years to solve, but in a fraction of the time.
This technology will have significant impacts across many sectors including manufacturing, natural resources, finance, engineering, healthcare, defense, transport, telecommunications and life sciences.
“When the new facility opens in spring 2022, the institute will offer a regular schedule of training opportunities, industry workshops and events, and open collaborative research seminars,” says Brad Lackey, senior principal researcher from Microsoft, and chair of the Quantum Algorithms Institute’s board of directors. “In addition to providing a key venue for fostering academic-industry collaboration, it will enable all the cross-disciplinary interaction needed to prepare our students for entering the quantum technology workforce.”
