Major boost for future quantum jobs
The NSW Government is forging a path to future high-tech job opportunities by supporting further development of the University of Sydney’s proposal for a new Sydney Quantum Academy to train the next generation of quantum engineers and put NSW at the heart of the global quantum economy.
The $500,000 commitment towards the Sydney Quantum Academy proposal is the second from NSW Quantum Computing Fund. The initiative is a partnership between the University of Sydney, Macquarie University, UNSW Sydney and UTS.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the investment in the quantum economy is about jobs. It would create education and economic opportunities for NSW and new professions to shape the future of the high-tech industry.
“We have a tremendous wealth of expertise in quantum science and technology in NSW. There are researchers here who the world is watching closely, as the race to develop the first fully-functional quantum computer heats up,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The Quantum Academy will train a future generation of quantum engineers to build and program these machines. The Academy will also build on the expertise across our universities to create a quantum ecosystem that will benefit NSW.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills, John Barilaro, said the $500,000 will go towards the development of the Sydney Quantum Academy proposal which will help to cement NSW as the centre of the global quantum revolution.
“NSW already has an unusually high concentration of quantum computing expertise and this funding from the NSW Government will make sure our state continues to push boundaries in this field,” Mr Barilaro said.
Leading University of Sydney scientist and Director of Microsoft Station Q, Professor David Reilly said: “Building a quantum computer is one of the most significant scientific and engineering challenges of the 21st century. The computing power of quantum machines will potentially revolutionise medicine, communications and transport.”
2018 Australian of the Year, Professor Michelle Simmons, whose team at UNSW Sydney is currently developing a silicon based quantum computer said: “We have some exciting opportunities for translation in the quantum space, we need good people and I welcome the NSW Government’s support.”