KAIST Signs MOU with European Quantum Computing Specialist Company Quandela

Kwandella's World's First Photonic Hardware and Software-Based Education Program
Expecting Internationalization and Field-Oriented Talent Development through Collaboration with First European Partner

KAIST (President Lee Kwang-hyung) is collaborating with leading European companies to nurture talent in the quantum field and secure outstanding technologies.

French quantum computer startup Quandela signed an agreement on the afternoon of the 4th (Korean time) with KAIST Graduate School of Quantum Science and Technology (Head Professor Kim Eun-sung) to activate the domestic quantum cloud industry ecosystem through industry-academia cooperation. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from each institution as well as numerous members of the Graduate School of Quantum Science and Technology.

Quandela, founded in France in 2017, is a photonics-based quantum computer startup that is a full-stack specialized company performing quantum computer manufacturing, expansion of support software, cloud service (QaaS) support, and algorithm research. Quantum computing research and development is being conducted in various methods including superconducting, photonic, and ion-based approaches, and the photonic method pursued by Quandela is characterized by excellent compatibility with existing optical communication networks.

Through this agreement, Quandela plans to strengthen practical capabilities in quantum hardware and software of outstanding human resources in Korea, conduct joint research, and enhance international exchanges together with KAIST. The quantum computing field is an industry where nurturing excellent talent is very important, and Quandela expects that KAIST’s outstanding personnel will play a significant role in creating a global quantum ecosystem through this agreement.

Quandela will provide Perceval, software capable of controlling the Quandela quantum computer, to the KAIST Graduate School of Quantum Science and Technology and focus on field-oriented technical cooperation by holding regular seminars. Outstanding personnel produced through this process will be able to conduct in-depth research through employment at Quandela’s Korean branch and participation in exchange programs with Quandela’s headquarters in France, which is also expected to strengthen international cooperation with the French quantum industry.

Dr. Jean Senellart, CPO of Quandela, said, “We have seen Korea gain industrial superiority through excellent talent in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence,” adding, “Cooperation with KAIST in nurturing outstanding talent, the foundation of the ecosystem in the future advanced industry of quantum computing, will be a great driving force.”

Kim Eun-sung, head of the KAIST Graduate School of Quantum Science and Technology, said, “Quandela is the first European partner of the Graduate School of Quantum Science and Technology,” and added, “Through educational programs utilizing Quandela’s cloud quantum computer hardware and software, the nurturing of field-oriented talent desired by the quantum industry will be further strengthened.”