The University of South Carolina (USC) has joined the IBM Quantum Hub at North Carolina State University. In addition to supporting industry and university partners, the IBM Quantum Hub also focuses on educating the next generation of quantum computing users and developers.

More than 180 clients — including ‎Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, academic institutions and research labs — work with IBM Quantum technology to advance ‎quantum computing and explore practical applications. The IBM Quantum team and clients are researching and exploring how quantum computing will help a ‎variety of industries and disciplines, including finance, energy, chemistry, materials science, ‎optimization and machine learning, among many others.

“The IBM Q Hub is a major focal point in terms of research, training, and collaboration in the quantum front,” said Hossein Haj-Hariri, Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing. “I am heartened to see that the IBM Q Hub at NC State also has initiatives for education and training for the community at various levels. I am confident USC faculty, instructors, and undergraduate and graduate students will benefit greatly by our joining the IBM Q Hub as it will facilitate significant new research, training, and educational opportunities.”

With membership in the Quantum Hub, USC will gain access to over 20 of IBM’s quantum computing systems for commercial use and fundamental research. Facilitated through the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, USC partners (academic, community and industrial) will have full access to the membership. Consequently, the university faculty and students will have the opportunity to develop and test new algorithms for quantum hardware and collaborate on leading-edge experimental efforts.

Membership in the Quantum Hub also offers USC students unique educational opportunities as Quantum Computing courses are being developed jointly by the departments of Computer Science and Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics. Students will gain real-world experience in algorithm development and data analysis using state-of-the-art quantum computing systems and will enter the workforce as quantum-ready graduates. Quantum computing has far-reaching potential for research, and exposing students, faculty and researchers across the country to this promising new field that will reap benefits for USC, NC State and IBM.

For more information, please contact Andy Bernardin.