VTU and TCOE India Establish Centre of Excellence in Quantum and 6G Technology

In a significant push towards advancing India’s position in quantum and 6G technology, the Telecom Centre of Excellence (TCOE) India and Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) in Karnataka have partnered to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for quantum technologies and related areas. The collaboration is aimed at accelerating the nation’s research and innovation capabilities in these key sectors, enhancing India’s technological prowess on a global scale.

Centre of Excellence Launched at VTU-Visvesvaraya Research and Innovation Foundation

The new CoE, located at the VTU-Visvesvaraya Research and Innovation Foundation (VRIF) in Bengaluru, was launched under the Ministry of Communications’ 100-day programme, reflecting a focused commitment towards achieving significant milestones in the development of quantum technology and future telecommunications. By combining the intellectual and infrastructural strengths of VTU’s extensive network of affiliated colleges, the CoE is positioned to serve as a leading hub for cutting-edge research and innovation.

According to the Ministry of Communications, this initiative is part of a larger strategy to position India at the forefront of global advances in quantum and 6G technologies. The new CoE will follow a hub-and-spoke model, with VTU-VRIF and TCOE India serving as the core hub. The spoke units will extend across VTU’s 228 affiliated colleges, which will work in concert to foster collaboration, streamline research, and drive the rapid commercialisation of groundbreaking innovations.

Facilitating Research and Innovation at Scale

The centre aims to create a collaborative ecosystem that encourages the flow of knowledge and innovation across the country’s vast academic, industrial, and startup landscapes. It will focus on developing cutting-edge research in quantum technology, 5G, and 6G communications, enhancing synergy between different organisations involved in telecom standardisation.

The hub will host vertical-focused innovation groups, drawing in some of the best minds from among the affiliated colleges. These groups will address specific technological challenges, ensuring that the CoE remains a leader in fostering advancements across quantum computing, telecommunications, and related fields.

The CoE is also expected to engage with major organisations working in telecom standardisation and other fields, such as the Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC), Bharat 6G Alliance, TSDSI, and various academic and startup networks. By doing so, the CoE will enhance collaboration between key players in the industry, helping to standardise technologies and accelerate the pace of innovation in quantum and 6G sectors.

Empowering India’s Next Generation of Researchers

With a direct link to VTU’s vast academic network, the CoE will empower over 400,000 students, more than 2,000 PhD candidates, and numerous researchers to engage in cutting-edge research in quantum technology and 5G/6G communications. The collaborative nature of the CoE will allow for a seamless flow of knowledge between academic institutions, industry partners, and startups, helping to drive forward new discoveries and commercialise innovations on a global scale.

The CoE also promises to create a fertile environment for the development of new startups and entrepreneurial ventures. By offering access to advanced research facilities and expert guidance, the CoE will help young innovators turn their ideas into viable products, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the fields of quantum computing and 6G technology.

India’s National Quantum Mission: A Strategic Push

The establishment of the CoE is a critical component of India’s broader quantum technology initiative, which was formally launched in April 2023 with the creation of the National Quantum Mission. This mission is aimed at building the nation’s capabilities in quantum science and technology and positioning India as a leader in this fast-growing field.

Ajai Chowdhury, Chairman of the Mission Governing Board for the National Quantum Mission, underscored the growing importance of quantum technology in India. He revealed that there are currently about 600 scientists and 50 startups working in the field of quantum technology within the country. According to Chowdhury, India is doing “tremendous amounts of work” in this sector, and the CoE will only further bolster the nation’s research and development efforts.

As the quantum technology landscape continues to evolve rapidly, the creation of the CoE represents a crucial step in ensuring India remains at the forefront of global advancements. With the launch of the CoE, India is well-positioned to make significant strides in the development of quantum computing and 6G communication systems, fostering innovation and collaboration across academic, industrial, and governmental spheres.

A Future-Ready Initiative

The CoE will play a key role in preparing India for the future of technology, equipping the next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs with the skills and resources they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving global landscape. By fostering research, innovation, and collaboration at a national level, the centre is poised to become a critical player in shaping the future of quantum technology and telecommunications in India and beyond.