In the presence of the Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder, the Bavarian Minister of Science Bernd Sibler and the head of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Sabine Jarothe, the presidents of the participating universities and scientific organizations signed the founding charter of the Munich Quantum Valley at the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities.
“Technology is the future”
Prime Minister Markus Söder said:
"Quantum computing enables completely new types of research. This is the next generation of supercomputers. We will develop Bavaria into an international champion in this field. In Munich Quantum Valley, we are networking our best scientists. The world's best minds should study and teach in Bavaria. With the High-Tech Agenda Plus, we are investing a total of 3.5 billion euros for 13,000 new study places and 1,000 professorships. Because technology is the future."
The founding partners of Munich Quantum Valley are Technische Universität München (TUM), the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) and the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) as well as the Bavarian Academy of Sciences, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Fraunhofer Society and the Max Planck Society.
At the future Center for Quantum Computing and Quantum Technology, the three most promising quantum computing technologies based on superconducting qubits, ions, and atoms will be developed, built, and made available for scientific applications. In addition, a quantum technology park will be created to pool research capacities and accelerate the rapid translation of scientific findings into market-ready products. These activities will be supported by the development of training and continuing education programs and measures to promote startups in quantum technologies.
Research also flows into teaching
Under the umbrella of Munich Quantum Valley, around 200 scientists from universities, research institutes, and companies cooperate in eight research consortia that complementarily cover the various areas of expertise related to the construction and operation of quantum computers. Lighthouse projects aim to further strengthen the scientific basis for the development of quantum computers by incorporating the expertise of other Bavarian locations.
The research will also be incorporated into student teaching and professional development: Around the joint Cluster of Excellence Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST) TUM and LMU have also launched a master's program in "Quantum Science and Technology." Within the framework of the TUM Institute for LifeLong Learning (IL3) a further qualification program for specialists and managers from the business world in the field of quantum technologies is also being developed.
More startups in the field of quantum technology
A third pillar of Munich Quantum Valley is the rapid transfer into marketable products. The project, which is funded by the federal and state governments, TUM Center for Quantum Engineering is already under construction. TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann explained:
"The first startups in the field of quantum technology have already been founded. And with the support of our TUM Quantum Venture Lab, we aim to develop entire families of startups in the field of quantum technologies."
