Feb 19, 2025

Shaping the Quantum Future: A Landmark Symposium at KFUPM

As we celebrate 100 years since the groundbreaking discoveries that launched quantum mechanics, 2025 has been declared the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. In recognition of this milestone, the Symposium on Quantum Computing & Technology at KFUPM brought together a remarkable assembly of thought leaders, pioneering researchers, and industry experts. Recognizing this historic milestone, the symposium highlighted the field’s transformative potential. Over two dynamic days, the event served as a hub for cutting-edge discussions, groundbreaking research, and hands-on exploration of quantum advancements.

With over 400 registered participants, the symposium was organized by KFUPM’s College of Computing & Mathematics, the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Intelligent Secure Systems (IRC-ISS), and the KFUPM Institute for Knowledge Exchange (KIKS)—with strategic partnership from the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA)—the symposium provided an unparalleled platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration in quantum technology.

The event featured five keynote speeches, 10 invited talks, and over 10 research presentations, with insights from nine international and six local speakers representing leading institutions worldwide. Engaging panel discussions delved into the latest breakthroughs, software and algorithmic advancements, hardware innovations, and real-world applications of quantum computing. The symposium also emphasized hands-on learning, offering two interactive workshops:

• Day 1: Superconducting Circuits for Quantum Computing: Design, Simulation, and Experimental Operation by Red Blue Quantum
• Day 2: Introduction to Qiskit by KFUPM’s Physics Club

During the symposium’s opening remarks, Dr. Ali Al-Shaikhi, Vice President of Research and Innovation at KFUPM, underscored the event’s mission, stating:
"Together, we will investigate the potential of quantum technologies to reshape industries, redefine value chains, and tackle some of the most pressing global challenges."

The event concluded with a compelling closing session, celebrating the Top 3 Poster Awards and highlighting KFUPM’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research. The Interdisciplinary Research Center for Intelligent Secure Systems (IRC-ISS) showcased student research, encouraging students from universities across Saudi Arabia to connect with experts, explore innovative solutions, and actively contribute to the quantum revolution.

As the symposium came to a close, it left a lasting impact—strengthening global collaborations, igniting new research initiatives, and reinforcing KFUPM’s role as a leading institution driving quantum innovation.