Grant: Collaborative Research and Training Experience

In the next two decades, it is expected that quantum computing will allow us to solve some of the world's most pressing computational and societal problems that are unsolvable by classical computers. In this industrial stream CREATE program, UBC, SFU and UVic will jointly develop a new multidisciplinary graduate program designed to provide specialized training in quantum computing. The program will complement and strengthen our existing graduate programs in physics, electrical and computer engineering, chemistry, and computer science. Our objective is to offer a unique training paradigm that spans the entire field of quantum computing from building quantum computers ("hardware") to creating new applications ("software"). The uniqueness of the proposed program lies in the scope and practical aspects of the training. Driven by rapidly increasing local industry demands for trainees, the program will include hands-on workshops embedded within graduate courses, with workshops co-taught by industry professionals. Our program will be the first in the world to produce graduates capable of both building elements of quantum computing hardware and programming and developing quantum computing algorithms, systems and applications. Our graduates will create the technology upon which quantum computations will run 10 to 20 years from now. To ensure job readiness among our trainees, the program has been developed in consultation with our industry partners in BC as well as other Canadian and multinational companies involved in quantum computing. Newly designed professional development workshops in communication, commercialization and entrepreneurship, a Mitacs workshop in project management, as well as courses, research projects, and industrial internships, will provide students with the communication and planning skills, and highly specialized software and hardware technical expertise, required for careers in the rapidly growing quantum technologies sector.