Integral Role
Spain, though not one of Europe’s leading players in quantum computing (QC) and quantum information science (QIS) at the moment, does show signs of having the right attitude with several startups and organizations occupied with R&D in the sector. Universities, too, are deeply involved with current global developments and a contributing some important work that will see the country play an integral role as we move forward.
However, a lack of cohesion does exist between both the academic and commercial quantum tech communities. Helping to bridge this gap and align attitudes think tanks like Barcelonaqbit have come about.
In an academic context, the Spanish Network on Quantum Information (RITCE) is doing something similar, set up to develop and consolidate Quantum Information Technologies (QIT) in the national scientific and academic world in collaboration with other entities and associations (Spanish Physical or Optics societies). RITCE’s primary objectives are to:
- Promote scientific and human exchange among the groups in the community
- Create international summer schools at the graduate and postgraduate levels
- Organize the ICE workshops on a regular basis and promoting the realization of other international and exploratory workshops in collaboration with the network
- Help groups in the international advertising of contracts and assisting researchers abroad in their applications to positions and those contracts
- Implement actions that increase the visibility of the community, through specialized webs with popular content, promotion of outreach conferences, and the dissemination of contents in press, tv, radio or specialized webs
RITCE
This all operates with the logistical considerations of “a reduced set of geographically distributed institutions.” Open to all groups working in the field of QIT and its related fields that include quantum information, quantum technologies and quantum simulation, some of the benefits of being a part of RITCE include the possibility of participating in its activities and to profit from potential grants and resources offered by it.
“Our network was born with the words “Quantum Information” in it, but it has always been a collection of groups working in overlapping topics, such as quantum computing, quantum simulation, quantum sensing… In essence, what is nowadays known as “quantum information technologies”: a more inclusive denomination that includes all technologies that benefit from quantum effects, such as entanglement, squeezing, etc.”
— Juan José García Ripoll, 2017
Focused on delivering education and training through initiatives like the Summer School on Quantum Technologies, workshops via its ICE workshops and the ability to communicate with other members with the qipc.spain mailing list, RITCE is primed to nurture the next generation of scientists in QIT.
RITCE’s head coordinator is Juan José García Ripoll, a scientific investigator at the Spanish National Research Council (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-CSIC), who leads an expert team of scientists that wishes to promote research in quantum information and simulation, helping the establishment of collaborations inside the network and with international groups, and promoting the training of new scientists in these topics.
With enough effort and exploratory research, García Ripoll and his team can do for QIT in Spain what Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Piqué, Xavi, and Andrés Iniesta did for Spanish football.
For more market insights, check out our latest quantum computing news here.
