Ahmedabad: On Monday, officials of Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) and QpiAI signed an MoU to set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in quantum computing. According to QpiAI officials, it is the first such initiative for western India and will boost research and training in quantum computing.The CoE will come up at a cost of Rs 25 crore and feature an on-campus 8-qubit superconducting quantum computing facility, aligning with National Quantum Mission, said officials.Dr Nagendra Nagaraja, CEO and MD of QpiAI, said that the version which PDEU will get will be called ‘QVidya’, and students and researchers will work closely with quantum computer scientists to solve problems and learn about its applications.“The lab has been designed in close collaboration with PDEU. It will come with software stack, libraries, optimisation, and materials related to the computing technology. I believe Gujarat is an important place for its applications as it is the leader in energy, petroleum, and chemicals. For all these sectors, quantum computer has several applications,” he said.Prof S S Manoharan, director general of PDEU, told TOI that the university will take up research in fields such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, advanced energy materials, and battery and energy storage, among others, with the help of the quantum applications.“Quantum computing is considered to be the technology of the future, and exposure to it will help our researchers and students. The industry will also benefit from the research conducted here,” he said.The MoU was declared at the SEQUENCE 2026 event. According to organisers, the name suggested tracks on semiconductors, quantum computing, energy, climate action, and environment. The summit saw participation of Arjun Modhwadia, Gujarat minister for science and technology; Minakshi Lekhi, former Union minister of state; and Mumin Chen, ambassador of Taiwan to India, among others.Modhwadia on the occasion said that they are in the process of establishing a Centre of Excellence on climate action at PDEU. He elaborated on the state’s progress in the fields of science and technology and boosting technologies such as semiconductor industry, biotechnology university, and data centres.
