Prof Tan Eng Chye, NUS President and Prof Reinhold R. Geilsdörfer, CEO of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation, signing the letter of intent between the Foundation and NUS. They were accompanied by Prof Alexander Ling (extreme left), Principal Investigator at the Centre for Quantum Technologies, and Prof Dr Peter Frankenberg (extreme right), Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Board of Trustees of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation.
Quantum technologies hold the power to revolutionise industries such as cybersecurity, drug discovery and more. To help unlock the transformative potential of these technologies, the Dieter Schwarz Foundation and the National University of Singapore (NUS) are forging a strategic partnership to set the stage for a quantum-fuelled digital future.
The Dieter Schwarz Foundation has pledged to establish a groundbreaking research and development programme at the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT). The newly established Dieter Schwarz Foundation Professorship in Quantum Communication & Security will propel research, education and innovation in quantum science and engineering at NUS. The gift will also support an exchange programme with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) Campus Heilbronn and other universities in Germany, enabling cross-border interactions among undergraduate to postdoctoral research students.
“The partnership between the Dieter Schwarz Foundation and NUS is an example of a mutually beneficial collaboration, where we are driving research, education and innovation towards a quantum-driven digital world. Together, we will foster synergies and collaborations between our best scientists, to push the boundaries of this evolving field,” shared NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye.
Quantum computing is a rapidly emerging technology that has the potential to solve complex problems that lie beyond the reach of today’s supercomputers.
“Quantum communication offers strong security for data transfers,” said Director of CQT, Professor José Ignacio Latorre. “This can be valuable in protecting sensitive data for industries from banking to healthcare. Quantum computers promise to solve some types of computational problems that are intractable today, for applications such as computational biology and optimisation. In the future, the ability to connect quantum computers via quantum communication networks will enhance the potential of both technologies.”
This enhanced computing capability, however, also poses a risk to current encryption methods that protect sensitive data. This threat is driving efforts to develop novel quantum-safe methods. Quantum communication is a key path to developing security solutions and establishing secure communication networks.
“For society today, how we transmit and protect data is very important. At CQT, we have long been interested in the impacts quantum computing and quantum communication will have on this aspect of life. The visionary pledge from the Dieter Schwarz Foundation offers a major and timely boost to the Centre’s research programme in quantum communication and security,” said Prof Latorre.
This partnership is set to bolster the collaboration between Germany and Singapore, creating opportunities for professors and students from TUM and NUS to connect and collaborate. Through this initiative, the institutions will foster a dynamic exchange of knowledge and expertise across borders, empowering scientific talents to share innovative practices and gain invaluable insights to advance quantum engineering.
Professor Thomas Hofmann, President of TUM said, “The collaboration between TUM and NUS marks a significant step towards realising the potential of quantum technologies. By combining our strengths, we aim to cultivate an ecosystem that drives innovation and addresses global challenges.”
The generous gift from the Dieter Schwarz Foundation marks its inaugural contribution to NUS, while also commemorating the Foundation’s 25th anniversary. Established in 1999 by German entrepreneur Dieter Schwarz, the non-profit organisation is dedicated to promoting education and science. The Foundation’s mission thus aligns seamlessly with the objectives of this pivotal partnership.
“For 25 years, we have been dedicated to fostering education and science, believing that these are the cornerstones of a prosperous and sustainable future. Our commitment to expanding our support to Asia reflects our belief in the region's immense potential and the importance of global collaboration in tackling the challenges of our time,” said Professor Reinhold R. Geilsdörfer, CEO of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation.
This strategic partnership exemplifies the convergence of shared values, uniting both institutions in their shared mission to tackle global challenges through the transformative power of scientific discovery and technological innovation.
Outlining his vision, Professor Geilsdörfer said: “NUS, with its world-renowned research and academic excellence, is a natural partner for us. This collaboration will allow us to contribute to the development of cutting-edge research, nurture the next generation of scientists and educators, and ultimately, contribute to a brighter future for all.”
