AI Generated Summary
- The university now joins an elite league that includes premier institutes such as Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, all of which are actively engaged in advanced quantum research spanning computing, communication, and sensing technologies.
- In a significant boost to India’s growing quantum research ecosystem, the Department of Physics at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has been selected under the prestigious National Quantum Mission (NQM) to establish a cutting-edge quantum technology laboratory.
- As part of the initiative, GNDU has been awarded a grant of ₹1 crore to establish the iQUANT Lab (Integrated Quantum Undergraduate Laboratory for Computing, Communication, Materials, and Sensing).
In a significant boost to India’s growing quantum research ecosystem, the Department of Physics at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has been selected under the prestigious National Quantum Mission (NQM) to establish a cutting-edge quantum technology laboratory.
GNDU is among a select group of just 23 institutions nationwide chosen through a highly competitive process. The university now joins an elite league that includes premier institutes such as Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, all of which are actively engaged in advanced quantum research spanning computing, communication, and sensing technologies.
As part of the initiative, GNDU has been awarded a grant of ₹1 crore to establish the iQUANT Lab (Integrated Quantum Undergraduate Laboratory for Computing, Communication, Materials, and Sensing). The facility is designed to provide hands-on training to undergraduate students in emerging quantum technologies, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical application.
Professor Aman Mahajan, Head of the Physics Department, formally received the grant at IIT Bombay from leading scientific authorities, including A.K. Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.
“The iQUANT Lab will focus on core domains such as quantum communication, optics, sensing, quantum computing through IBM Quantum platforms, and quantum materials,” Prof. Mahajan said. “Our aim is to equip students with practical skills that align with future technological demands.”
The initiative is expected to benefit not only physics students but also those from interdisciplinary fields such as electronics, computer science, chemistry, and materials science. Students from GNDU’s affiliated colleges will also have access to the facility.
In a parallel development, Dr. Harpreet Singh, a researcher from the department, has secured a major collaborative project under the National Quantum Mission alongside teams from IIT Mandi and IISER Mohali, further strengthening GNDU’s research footprint.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Karamjeet Singh described the development as a milestone for both the university and the state. “This project will significantly enhance our academic and research infrastructure while placing Punjab firmly on the deep-tech map of India,” he said.
He added that the initiative is expected to foster innovation, generate employment opportunities for students, and contribute to building a highly skilled workforce in advanced technologies.
India’s National Quantum Mission aims to expand the number of such laboratories to over 1,000 by 2031, underscoring the country’s commitment to becoming a global leader in quantum science. With applications ranging from drug discovery to next-generation supercomputing, quantum technology is increasingly viewed as a cornerstone of future scientific and industrial advancement.
