IT dept holds successful workshop on Quantum Computing

Kolkata: Calcutta University has submitted a proposal to the state Information Technology and Electronics (IT&E) department evincing interest in developing a centre of excellence for Quantum Computing in the city.

The university, which is already working on the subject at AK Chowdhury School of Information Technology on its Rajabazar campus, wants to set up a state-of-the-art laboratory and infrastructure in this sphere.

"We are examining the proposal that has been submitted by Calcutta University. We are working with a number of premier institutions in the city in the sphere of emerging technologies where Bengal can play the leading role," Debashis Sen, Additional Chief Secretary IT&E said on the sidelines of a knowledge workshop on Quantum Computing at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre on Friday. It may be mentioned that CU's AK Chowdhury School of Information Technology has been carrying activities connected with Quantum Computing and has an international group working in close coordination with it.

Webel that jointly organised the workshop with the state IT department also unveiled a helpline for IT park entrepreneurs at the event.

According to a senior official of the IT department, Quantum Computing is essential for programming of a supercomputer.

"It will take some more years to embrace Quantum Computing commercially. But we have to start preparations from now. It is perhaps for the first time in India when such a workshop involving so many experts under a single platform is being organised," the official maintained

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee desires to build a hub for technology firms like Silicon Valley in the state and so the state IT & E department is leaving no stone unturned to play a leading role in these emerging IT technologies like Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Embedded Technology, Robotics, IOT, Quantum Computing etc.