Quantum@UC Week highlights a talk by Hartmut Neven and reinforces FCTUC’s commitment to quantum computing
Quantum@UC Week highlights a keynote by Hartmut Neven and reinforces FCTUC’s commitment to quantum computing
The Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC) will host Quantum@UC Week from 16 to 18 June, a series of events that strengthens the university’s focus on education and research in quantum computing and quantum technologies. The main highlight will be the “Quantum Computing and Technologies Workshop” on 17 June, featuring the much-anticipated keynote by Hartmut Neven, Google Vice-President and a world-leading figure in quantum computing.
17 June Workshop: Science, Technology and the Quantum Future
The 17 June workshop, free to attend and starting at 9:30 a.m. in Auditorium 2 of the Student Hub, will bring together national and international experts to discuss recent advances and challenges in quantum technologies. The programme will include sessions on quantum computing, secure communications, sensors, and applications in fields such as maritime navigation. There will also be a poster session in the Department of Physics as part of FCTUC’s specialised training course in Quantum Computing and Technologies.
The highlight of the day will be Hartmut Neven’s opening lecture, exploring the state of the art and future prospects for quantum technologies. Neven — recognised for his pioneering role in developing quantum artificial intelligence at Google — will share his vision for achieving the practical usefulness of quantum computers and the potential impact of these technologies across multiple sectors.
Quantum@UC Week: Three Days of Science and Innovation
Quantum@UC Week will also feature two other key events. On 16 June, the “HPC and Quantum Computing” workshop will take place under the EUMaster4HPC initiative, focusing on integrating high-performance computing with quantum computing. On 18 June, the University of Coimbra will award Hartmut Neven an Honorary Doctorate in a formal ceremony in the Sala dos Capelos, recognising his exceptional contribution to the global advancement of quantum computing.
These events are part of the momentum generated by FCTUC’s Quantum Computing and Technologies programme, which trains professionals and researchers in this strategic field for the future of science and technology in Portugal.
“Quantum@UC Week is a unique opportunity for the academic, scientific, and business communities to engage with world leaders in quantum computing and to learn about the most recent advances in this disruptive field,” say organisers Helena Alberto, Jorge Lobo, Pedro Alberto, Gabriel Falcão and Sagar Pratapsi.
“Quantum Computing and Technologies Workshop” — 17 June 2025
Venue: Student Hub, Auditorium 2, University of Coimbra
Admission: Free
09:30 — Opening Lecture: Hartmut Neven (Google Vice-President)
10:30 — Coffee Break
11:00 — “The path to Quantum usefulness: An overview of quantum and quantum enabling technologies to scale up to 1M Qubits” — Jorge Santos, IQM quantum computers
12:00 — “Measurement-based quantum computation” — Ernesto Galvão, INL, Braga, Portugal
13:00 — Lunch
14:30 — “Quantum Communications and the Quantum Computing Threat” — Armando Nolasco Pinto, IT, University of Aveiro, Portugal
15:30 — “Toward Resilient Maritime Navigation: Quantum Sensing and Magnetic Map Matching” — Andrea Munafo, University of Pisa, Italy
16:30 — “Quantum Technologies in the Maritime Domain” — Pietro Paglierani, NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation, La Spezia, Italy
17:00 — Coffee Break
17:30 — “Training in Quantum Technologies in Coimbra: present and future” — Jorge Lobo and Helena Vieira Alberto, University of Coimbra, Portugal
18:00 — Poster session (17 and 18 June) — Department of Physics
(For more information, contact jlobo@deec.uc.pt)