IHRD and Bloq Quantum Partner to Expand Quantum Computing Education in Kerala

Insider Brief

• The Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD) has signed an MoU with Bloq Quantum to introduce quantum computing education across its 10 engineering colleges in Kerala.
• The partnership will provide student certification programmes, state-wide hackathons, faculty training and cloud-based virtual quantum laboratories.
• The initiative will later expand to all 88 IHRD institutions, including colleges of applied science, model polytechnic colleges and technical higher secondary schools.

PRESS RELEASE — The Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD), an autonomous educational institution established by the Government of Kerala, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bloq Quantum Private Limited, a Kerala-based quantum software company. The agreement will introduce quantum computing education and skill development in all 10 IHRD engineering colleges in its first phase, and will later extend to all 88 institutions under IHRD across Kerala.

The MoU was exchanged between Prof. (Dr.) M. V. Rajesh, Director, IHRD, and Sreekuttan L. S., Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bloq Quantum. Shri Roji M. John, Minister for Higher Education, Government of Kerala, was present at the exchange, held during the graduation ceremony of the College of Engineering Attingal (CEAL).

The collaboration covers four areas:

• Student certification programmes in quantum computing, giving students an industry-recognised credential alongside their degree.
• State-wide hackathons open to students across IHRD engineering colleges, built around real quantum computing problems.
• Faculty development programmes (FDPs) to equip teachers to deliver quantum computing courses and guide student projects.
• Virtual quantum laboratories that give students hands-on practice with quantum algorithms through cloud-based access, without the need for physical quantum hardware on campus.

Together, these initiatives are intended to strengthen students’ practical knowledge and employability in emerging technologies. The partnership will also build IHRD’s academic and technological capabilities and help position Kerala as a centre for quantum computing education and innovation.

“Quantum computing is moving from research labs into industry, and the students who learn it now will lead that shift. Through this partnership with IHRD, students in engineering colleges across Kerala will be able to learn, build and compete on quantum problems from their own campuses,” said Sreekuttan L. S., Co-founder and CEO, Bloq Quantum.

“Quantum computing will shape the next generation of technology careers, and our students should be able to learn it on their own campuses in Kerala. This partnership with Bloq Quantum gives students and faculty across IHRD institutions access to certification, training and virtual laboratories, and takes forward IHRD’s commitment to industry-ready technical education,” said Prof. (Dr.) M. V. Rajesh, Director, IHRD.

The programmes will be introduced first in all IHRD engineering colleges. In the next phase, they will be extended to the other institutions under IHRD, including its colleges of applied science, model polytechnic colleges and technical higher secondary schools.