BENGALURU: In a significant boost to Karnataka’s ambition of positioning Bengaluru as a global hub for quantum technology, leading Swiss research institutions and companies have expressed strong interest in partnering with the State’s proposed Quantum City project, said N.S. Boseraju, Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology.
Swiss collaboration prospects strengthen Bengaluru’s quantum vision
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the Minister said the State government has initiated several programmes aimed at establishing Bengaluru as the world’s focal point for quantum research and innovation. Following the announcement made during India’s first Quantum Conference, the government has already allocated land for the Quantum City and is in the process of finalising international collaborations.
During his recent visit to Switzerland, Boseraju held discussions with key representatives from global quantum research centres, including ETH Zurich and CERN, exploring partnership opportunities in research, education, and technology development.
“Dr. Michael Hengartner, President of the ETH Zurich Board, responded positively to our request for cooperation in research projects,” the Minister said, highlighting the encouraging outcomes of the visit.
Investment potential showcased at Swissnex Quantum Summit
The Karnataka delegation participated in the Swissnex Quantum Summit, where it showcased investment opportunities linked to the Quantum City initiative. The event drew attention from several major quantum technology companies interested in exploring R&D and manufacturing partnerships in Bengaluru.
A demonstration of the proposed Quantum City model was also presented, attracting positive feedback from Swiss industry experts and researchers.
The Minister added that ETH Zurich, renowned for its pioneering quantum research and association with Albert Einstein, expressed enthusiasm about potential collaboration. Invitations have been extended to Professors Andreas Wallraff, Jonathan Home, and Klaus Ensslin — directors of the ETH Zurich Quantum Center and global leaders in superconducting qubits and trapped ion systems research — to participate in the upcoming Quantum India Conference.
ETH Zurich to support Karnataka in quantum skill development
Highlighting one of the visit’s major outcomes, Boseraju said ETH Zurich University has agreed to train Karnataka’s research students in advanced quantum technologies. The training programme will focus on developing expertise in quantum computing, measurement systems, and instrumentation.
The Minister also revealed that the delegation’s visit to Zurich Instruments, a company specialising in equipment for quantum computing development, was productive. The company has agreed to provide technical training and knowledge exchange opportunities for students and researchers from Karnataka.
Building a world-class quantum ecosystem in Karnataka
Boseraju emphasised that Karnataka, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has already started specialised courses to build a skilled quantum workforce. The State’s combination of academic strength, industrial capacity, and policy support, he said, makes it an ideal destination for global quantum collaboration.
“Several research innovations at ETH Zurich have evolved into successful startups. We are confident of replicating a similar ecosystem within the Quantum City, enabling world-class research and entrepreneurship in India,” he added.
With Swiss partnerships taking shape, the Quantum City project is poised to become a landmark initiative in India’s scientific and technological landscape, strengthening Bengaluru’s global reputation as a centre for innovation and high-tech development.