About

Following a new optional couse on Quatum Computing created in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (DEEC) in 2021 by Prof. Jorge Lobo, and the identification of common interests with the Department of Physics (DF) where topics of technologies and quantum computing were also already addressed in courses lectures by Prof. Helena Alberto, and together with the Department of Computer Science (DEI), regular meetings of this interest group began and an internal email list was created.

Given the strategic interest for the UC, the rectorate tasked Prof. Edmundo Monteiro to coordinate this interest group, which has held meetings and promoted several initiatives. Two workshops have already been held, and a memorandum of understanding has been established between UC, IBM Portugal, Softinsa, and Coimbra City Council. A non-degree course in quantum technologies and computing was created, starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, with a workshop at the end. We have an exploratory project funded by FCT that started in February 2025, Q-Bet, and another already approved funded by the Open Quantum Institute (OQI) and the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator. An interdepartmental QuantumLab@UC (DF, DEEC, DEI) is being created, and in the year 2025, International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, there will also be several initiatives.

The Quantum@UC initiative is a community of researchers with an intense interest in advancing the science and engineering of quantum technologies, quantum computing, and their applications. Our mission is to help scientists and engineers explore new ways to apply quantum technologies and quantum computing to useful applications.