DST collaborates with AICTE to launch undergraduate courses in quantum studies

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has introduced undergraduate courses in quantum studies, as part of the National Quantum Mission.

AICTE has prepared a dedicated curriculum, which is designed to better integrate theoretical knowledge with real world experience, so as to inculcate deeper understanding of quantum technologies, Ajay K Sood, principal scientific advisor to Government of India, said on Wednesday..

Imparting quantum education at the undergraduate level will help inculcate deeper understanding of quantum technologies and create well trained a pool of quantum-ready professionals in India, he pointed out. 

A highly skilled workforce is needed to accelerate research and development in the field of quantum computing and this has to be achieved in a shorter span of time, he pointed out.

The curriculum is of global standards and designed to address the multi-disciplinary needs of quantum technology development - from basic to applied research.

The curriculum is designed to impart strong foundational and advanced knowledge base, keeping in mind the various disciplines in engineering and the diversity of institutions, Abhay Karandikar, secretary in the Department of Science and Technology, said, adding that the course in quantum technologies will be introduced from the third or fourth semester.

The National Quantum Mission will help create the necessary infrastructure, including teaching labs in select institutions and will work with AICTE for faculty development, Karandikar said and urged institutes to adopt the curriculum proactively.

Along with the introduction UG courses in quantum studies, the government is looking at internships in parallel to create value for the course and students, Ajai Chowdhry, chairman MGB, NQM, said.

Professor T G Sitharam, chairman of AICTE, said the curriculum is ready and will be included from next July session in all top institutions.

While top institutes have already started programmes in quantum, he said, AICTE is expanding such training to a larger pool of institutes across the country.

The course structure includes all four verticals of Quantum Technology, including Quantum Computing, Quantum communications, Quantum sensing and metrology, Quantum materials and devices, he said. 

Under the proposed curriculum, a minimum of 18 credits are assigned for theory and lab courses. 

Programme structure

Minimum credits needed – 18

3.0.0 course: 3 theory lectures a week or 42 lectures in a semester with average length of 14 weeks;

3:0 course of at least 36 hours of lectures (allowing for holidays, exam etc).

N:m lab course of `n’ hours lectures and `m’ sessions (3 hours each) of practicals each week.

Faculty development programmes through regular training of teachers are also proposed to be carried out to enhance the quality of the training imparted to students.

Besides, the National Quantum Mission in collaboration with AICTE will also support the setting up of labs and publishing of books with course material, he added.