"Today's insights for tomorrows experts" was the motto under which 30 students from Israel and Germany met for the second time from 3 to 8 September to gain insights into quantum research. The program in Germany took place for the most part in Munich and was organized by the Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MQCST) and the Munich Quantum Valley (MQV).
Reuniting at Spitzingsee
After the students had already gotten to know each other well during an intensive week in Israel in February, the joy of reunion in Munich was immense. An excursion to Spitzingsee to kick off the week-long academy in Germany gave participants the opportunity to refresh and deepen their new friendships.
After a short hike, the program started with an introduction of the local organizational partners MCQST and MQV. In addition to an introduction to the research landscape in the field of quantum technologies in Bavaria, group tasks were assigned, which the participants were to work on in workshops throughout the week.
Guided tours and lectures throughout Munich quantum research
The further plan for the week included numerous lectures as well as guided tours through institutes and laboratories, which gave the students a deeper insight into quantum research. Starting at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, the Leibniz Supercomputing Center, the Walter Schottky Institute, the Walther Meißner Institute and the LMU Munich, the participants were able to get to know essential parts of the research infrastructure in Munich and Garching.
The students' great interest was particularly evident from the many questions they asked at every opportunity. The lecturers also praised the commitment of the academy participants.
Industry visits and networking
In addition to the scientific program, the Quantum Future Academy also offered the opportunity to get to know companies in the field of quantum technologies and to talk to industry representatives. How ideas become business models was demonstrated by experts from quantum tech start-ups and established companies, who also took time for networking after their presentations.
Finally, the participants were able to become active themselves and directly implement their new knowledge in the start-up workshops. Throughout the week, the students worked in groups on an idea for founding a company -– from the technical side as well as from the entrepreneurial side. They were supported by successful entrepreneurs.
Successful finale in Berlin
For the finale of this year's Quantum Future Academy, all participants went to Berlin, where they presented their ideas for applications of quantum technologies in a pitch contest. State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Mario Brandenburg, Israel's Ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, and a jury of experts evaluated the pitches and selected a winning team.
This marked the successful conclusion of the Quantum Future Academy 2023. In addition to the exciting technical program, there was also plenty of cultural and personal exchange. Promoting German-–Israeli friendship and networking among young scientists beyond national borders are also among the goals of the Quantum Future Academy. The fact that the participants were already planning their reunion as they said goodbye is evidence of success in this area as well.
Further information
The Quantum Future Academy 2023 war organized by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Israeli Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (MOST) and the German Embassy in Tel Aviv in cooperation with the Weizmann Institute of Science, the Munich Quantum Valley (MQV) and , the Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST), the German Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development (GIF) and the VDI Technologiezentrum.
For more information, please visit the Academy's website: https://www.quantentechnologien.de/event/quantum-future-academy-2023.html