27/08/2025
Sabancı University hosted the 2nd Quantum Computing and Quantum Information Theory Workshop on Friday, August 15, 2025. The event, held on the Altunizade Digital Campus, brought together international researchers, students, and industry representatives to discuss the future of quantum technologies.
The workshop began with opening remarks by Sabancı University President Yusuf Leblebici and Vice President for Research Mehmet Yıldız. The speeches emphasized the university's role in advancing quantum science and its commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.
The day-long program featured six invited speakers covering mathematics, physics, electrical and electronics engineering, computer science, and industrial applications of quantum technologies.
The opening presentation was by Prof. Markus Grassl of the International Center for Theory of Quantum Technologies (ICTQT) at the University of Gdansk. Grassl, who also participated in the workshop in 2024, this year gave a talk on the potential and challenges of quantum information processing , covering topics such as quantum algorithms, quantum key generation, and Grover and Shor algorithms. He outlined the advantages offered by quantum systems, as well as the challenges encountered in practical applications.
Following this, Dr. Solomon Brhanu Samuel of the Department of Theoretical Physics at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics presented on the classification of generalized quantum measurements, focusing on POVMs, mutually independent bases, and the geometric structures that shape quantum measurement theory.
Continuing the morning session, Prof. Kadir Akın of the Quantum Center Engineering Unit at ETH Zurich discussed the relationship between quantum computation and FPGA technology, neural networks, and superconducting qubits, highlighting new engineering-based acceleration methods.
After the lunch break, industrial applications were the focus. Yuval Boger, Chief Commercial Officer of QuEra Computing Inc., introduced Aquila, the company's first and currently only publicly available neutral atom-based quantum computer. Boger explained the value quantum computing can create, from climate modeling to corporate solutions and public research. He explained the value quantum computing can create for daily life, providing examples such as how quantum computing systems can be used to develop comprehensive climate system models that require significant investment. Boger also outlined the expectations and needs of customers across corporations, high-performance computing centers, and governments. He emphasized that quantum computing could offer tangible benefits within 2-3 years, and that institutions that prepare will gain a competitive advantage.
In the afternoon computer science sessions, Dr. Yixin Shen (INRIA Rennes) presented on collision detection methods using quantum walks, focusing on cryptography. Dr. Özlem Salehi Köken (Sabancı University; Algorithmiq) concluded the workshop with a talk entitled "An Introduction to Quantum Optimization."
Throughout the workshop, participants discussed how theoretical advances, algorithmic innovations, and hardware developments can combine to bring quantum computing closer to the real world.
Details about last year's first Quantum Computing and Quantum Information Theory Workshop can be found here.
