Summer Preparatory School, Quantum Horizons: Developments and Opportunities Started

TÜBİTAK continues to support young people in every field of science and technology. The Summer Preparatory School “Quantum Horizons: Developments and Opportunities,  started with the opening event attended by Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, President of TÜBİTAK  Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal and Director of  Research Institute for fundamental Sciences (TBAE) Prof. Dr. Alikram Nuhbalaoğlu.

“Türkiye is the stakeholder of the quantum race in the world”

In his opening speech, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır said, "The organization of these events by TÜBİTAK and the thorough handling of this issue makes a very important contribution to what Türkiye has done in this regard."
Underlining that the present age is the age of difficulties, Kacır said, “We are in an effort to leave the COVID-19 pandemic behind. We are feeling the effects of global warming. We are in a period where food supply security has become a problem. We hope that science will illuminate the future of humanity.”

“If it ends in a few months, the COVID-19 pandemic will be the fastest-ending pandemic in history, and we will see what great services scientific efforts have turned out to be for humanity. Supporting science is not a choice but it is a necessity for us. We are excited to support groundbreaking work. We are very happy with the desire of our students to attend this meeting.”

“Today, the race for quantum technologies has begun in the world. It is possible to compare this race to the space race between two superpower states in the 60s, but the difference is that this race has much more stakeholders. Türkiye is also participating in this race. In addition to the state level, technology companies are also participating. Quantum is becoming an important window for opportunities” Kacır said, “There is plenty of room at the quantum horizons and it is also important for our country to take place in these horizons.  In this sense, I find the activities of TBAE very valuable.”

Explaining the history of quantum, Kacır stated that quantum lies at the scientific basis of laptops and smartphones.  Kacır said, “We are in a change and as a ministry, we are aware of this change. Humanity is approaching the second quantum revolution We see the need for qualified human resources in order to approach these horizons of science and technology and we are moving forward within this framework. TÜBİTAK provides important support in this sense, we support the scientific studies of our young people, and we are always by their side.”

Stating that Türkiye has a young population compared to many countries, Kacır said, "We think that if we can increase the participation of this population in scientific studies, Türkiye can achieve its national technology targets faster."

Mehmet Fatih Kacır said, “We have been organizing TEKNOFEST, the largest technology festival in the world, for 5 years. We discover our students and include them in our Experimental workshops so that our students can participate in scientific studies from the early ages, and we support their studies.”

Kacır said, “We opened our TÜBİTAK Science High School. This school is a product of our effort to create a new science high school. This is located inside the TÜBİTAK Gebze campus. These students are brought up by being personally involved in the research at TÜBİTAK, almost all of them participate in the science olympiads. We are raising a willing audience at TÜBİTAK Science High School.”

Kacır said, “The universe is full of secrets, and I heartily greet everyone who is excited about the discovery of these secrets.” He ended his speech with this statement.

“We are excited that our young researchers are attending the summer school”

In this opening speech, TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal also expressed his satisfaction with the high number of participants and said, "The participation of our young researchers at the undergraduate level as well as master's and doctorate makes us more excited and brings us more responsibility."

By thanking the Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Mandal noted that Kacır attended other meetings and always supported them.

The President of TÜBİTAK gave a presentation entitled “Developing and Succeeding Together with Quantum Technologies”.

Pointing out that all areas ranging from the most basic research to applications will be discussed in terms of developments in the summer preparatory school, Mandal said, “When we look at it as basic science, it was narrow in size, but when we look at the quantum world now, it is important to talk about its principles, technologies and application areas. When we consider the competition of countries and the future, when we consider quantum technologies not only as of the use but also as the dissemination, then it should be only science-based.”
“It is necessary to say that the fields of application from communication to simulation are exciting for the future,” Mandal emphasized that everything spoken in the world regarding quantum technologies will be discussed in the summer school and emphasized that “Our students will acquire all the information spoken in the world”.

Reminding the “Horizon Europe” program in which TÜBİTAK is taking part, Mandal noted that quantum technologies are also an important topic of this program. Pointing out that the Chinese Academy of Sciences has made important studies in the field of quantum, Mandal said, “From the point of view of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, you see quantum technology mostly in the fields of physics, then materials and chemistry. However, all fields are related closely. If we are talking about climate change, access to clean water, energy systems, quantum science and developed technologies are also relevant here.”

“When TÜBİTAK is evaluated in terms of its own processes, this field has a very valuable view. Saying that scientific depth is important in transforming into more output and impact with an interdisciplinary approach, Mandal said, "When we look at the difficulties, there should be a reverse relationship rather than a one-sided relationship, the information obtained contains more difficulties compared to the past. It was possible to solve that problem with the knowledge available in the past on climate change, food supply security, and the solution to epidemics. Now the problem can be solved only by working with the one who produces the information. As a result, the solution to existing difficulties is possible by working together. It will be possible with the cooperation of our scientists and even our institutions.”

Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal shared the projects supported by TÜBİTAK for quantum technologies and the support given in this field in detail.

Mandal underlined that "we are one of the partners of the second largest supercomputer in Europe established in Barcelona Supercomputer Center together with Croatia, Spain and Portugal" and underlined that quantum technologies are followed in every field.

Talking about the rapid development of TBAE, which was re-established in 2018, TÜBİTAK President, thanked those who contributed to the Summer School, especially Prof. Dr. Alikram Nuhbalaoğlu.

TBAE Director Prof. Dr. Alikram Nuhbalaoğlu emphasized the importance of quantum and noted that extensive information will be shared during the 4-day Summer School. Nuhbalaoğlu also expressed his satisfaction with the intense interest in the “Quantum Horizons: Developments and Opportunities Summer Preparatory School”. Nuhbalaoğlu also thanked Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır and President of TÜBİTAK Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal for their support and participation in the Summer School.