Education & Outreach

Minor Quantum Science and Quantum Information 

In 2021, 41 Bachelor’s students enrolled in the Minor Quantum Science and Quantum Information. Majoring in Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics or Computer Science, the students were introduced to the field of quantum science and technology, and trained in a multidisciplinary setting to program quantum algorithms using both emulators and real quantum hardware (via QuTech’s Quantum Inspire). This year, the minor was graded by the students with 8.7/10. 

Courses for MSc/PhD students 

The two-year MSc programme at TU Delft consists of a set of courses in the first year, followed by a second-year MSc thesis project at QuTech. Since 2015, QuTech Academy has offered multiple MSc courses in Quantum Technologies for students of Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics. In 2021, 36 students graduated with a thesis project at QuTech supervised by 13 QuTech PIs. Among the QuTech Academy courses, Fundamentals of Quantum Information was taken by 116 students this year.  

QuTech Scholarships

QuTech offers scholarships for excellent, international applicants interested in a Master’s track in quantum. The QuTech scholarships covers full tuition fees for the TU Delft MSc programme and contributes to living expenses for two years. Students with outstanding performance are offered a PhD position at QuTech. As part of our efforts to achieve gender balance in our institute and in science, we strongly encouraged female students and members of other groups that are underrepresented in (quantum) sciences and engineering to apply. For the period 2021-2023, six QuTech scholarships were awarded, of which three accepted by women.

Annotation Quantum Technology

The Annotation Quantum Technology was awarded to 18 students of selected Master’s programmes at TU Delft. The Annotation indicates that the student followed 20 ECTS credits of compulsory course modules and performed a graduation project focused on quantum technology. Some students also carried out an additional project, approved by the coordinator of the annotation, and we were pleased to share their outstanding work on The School of Quantum, our online learning platform.

QuTech aims to spark enthusiasm and curiosity for quantum technologies among a wider audience. We are keen to share our fascination with quantum science with anyone, including young people (notably primary and secondary school students), technology enthusiasts, professionals, politicians and future users. 

Our principal investigators are widely recognized as thought leaders both in the Netherlands and abroad. They are often asked to contribute their expert view on quantum technology to media productions, companies and institutions. Our QuTech Speakers are young and highly motivated PhD students, engineers and postdoctoral researchers that can be invited for talks. In 2021 they provided numerous interviews, podcasts, blogs, presentations and other outreach activities for the broader audience.

Radio and podcasts

• In the podcast of Radio Swammerdam, Sophie Hermans (PhD candidate) talked about super-fast quantum computers and a quantum internet. She discussed quantum bits in the fridge and information security.
  
  
• In the podcast ‘The Developer Weekly’, Richard Versluis (Engineering Lead) answered burning questions such as: How do quantum computers work? What can we actually do with them? How can they be programmed and when will I have one in my home?
  
  
• Anne-Marije Zwerver (PhD candidate) was invited by AG Connect to appear in their ‘Toekomstmuziek’ podcast. She discussed how quantum computers perform some calculations much faster than classical computers, and the new possibilities this creates.
  
  
• In the podcast ‘Cyberhelden’, Ingrid Romijn (Division Coordinator and Program Manager) talked about the impact quantum computers will have on our digital society. Questions that were discussed included: What will be the impact of quantum computers on our digital society? Will quantum computers be able to break all cryptography? Is it possible someone already has a secret quantum computer in their basement?
  
  
• Kian van der Enden (PhD candidate) talked about his work on a quantum internet on the ‘Sociale Innovatie’ podcast. He discussed in detail building the world’s first long-distance quantum internet.
  
  
• Bart van der Vecht (PhD candidate) explained how the quantum internet works exactly on radio show ‘BNR Digitaal’. He also talked about the Quantum Network Explorer.

Visits 

QuTech representatives visited secondary schools (online and offline), companies and government events to discuss quantum technologies and their potential. 

Blogs 

Eleven QuTech blogs (called ‘Bits of Quantum’) appeared in 2021, discussing everything from technological developments and political aspects to the everyday life of QuTech researchers. 

Vision Team magazine 

The Quantum Computing Vision Team (launched in 2020 by TU Delft and QuTech) explored the impact that quantum computing can have on society and industry. In this one-year project, an approach was followed that included the study of national and international reports on quantum computing, as well as speaking to people and organizations to identify societal issues that may emerge following the introduction of quantum computing. The results will be gathered in a magazine aimed at a broad audience.