A government-funded research institute specializing in ICT and a leading university in the field of science and technology are actively pursuing the training of experts in quantum technology.

On the 20th, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) decided to establish a mutual cooperation system for joint operation of the KAIST Quantum Graduate School within the institute.

The two organizations plan to jointly operate the ETRI-KAIST Quantum Graduate School to cultivate quantum technology experts by leveraging each other's quantum technology expertise and scientific human resource training know-how.

Quantum technology, which has been designated as one of the 12 national strategic technologies, is a future innovative technology that can overcome the limitations of existing technologies by utilizing the unique properties of quantum mechanics, such as quantum entanglement and superposition.

It is expected that the operation of the ETRI-KAIST Quantum Graduate School will expand the pool of experts in the field of quantum technology and thereby secure competitiveness in quantum technology.

With the signing of this business agreement, the ETRI-KAIST Quantum Graduate School will begin undergraduate operations in 2024.

Students will be trained to become quantum technology experts through joint guidance from ETRI researchers and KAIST faculty.

In particular, the ETRI-KAIST Quantum Graduate School can cultivate talents with both quantum technology expertise and research and development capabilities.

The students In addition to receiving academic training in quantum technology at KAIST, students are expected to gain research and development experience in various applied technologies, such as quantum communications, quantum computing, and quantum sensing, at ETRI.

ETRI plans to support research and personnel expenses annually to ensure the smooth operation of the ETRI-KAIST Quantum Graduate School and foster talent.

The total support period is five years, and ETRI and KAIST plan to extend the support period considering operational results, etc.

ETRI President Seung-chan Bang said, “ETRI is achieving excellent research results across the entire quantum field, including quantum communications, quantum computing, and quantum sensing. “We will apply these technical capabilities to the training of quantum technology experts and contribute to securing technological leadership in the quantum field, one of the national strategic technologies,” he said.

KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung also stated, “Through this business agreement, we expect that KAIST will be able to effectively convey its accumulated quantum knowledge to students, thereby laying the foundation for enhancing quantum technology competitiveness and securing global technological leadership.”

ETRI is leading research and development in various quantum fields, including quantum information and communication technology operating at room temperature in 2020 and the development of algorithms for quantum-resistant cryptography in 2022.

In 2022, the excellence of quantum technology research and development was recognized by the government, including being designated as a 'Quantum Internet Research Institute.'

KAIST established the Quantum Graduate School with the goal of leading the world in quantum science and technology and securing next-generation fundamental technologies and national competitiveness.

Starting in the fall semester of 2023, we will select master's and doctoral students, establish and operate a new curriculum, and establish a cooperative system between industry, academia, and research institutes to foster a domestic quantum ecosystem.

In addition, we have collaborated with leading universities around the world, including MIT and ETH Zurich, to host winter/summer schools, and signed MOUs with quantum computing innovation companies such as Xanadu, QuEra, and Quandela, thereby establishing a foundation for fostering quantum innovation talent with global leadership.

Going forward, the two institutions plan to continue to pursue cooperation necessary for the operation of the Quantum Graduate School, including the formation and operation of the Quantum Graduate School Steering Committee, education, and joint research.