On Tuesday, March 7, scientists of the University of Latvia (UL), Riga Technical University (RTU), the Institute of Solid State Physics of the UL, Institute of Mathematics and informatics of the UL gathered at the University of Latvia to celebrate the ambitious project funded by the European Union's (EU) Recovery Fund, the “Quantum Technologies Initiative”.
The aim of the project is to strengthen Latvia's competitiveness in the field of quantum technologies by attracting and preparing high-level specialists and developing a knowledge base and skills in the field of high technology, with a view to better engaging in the European and international research area, implementing high-level research and promoting higher-education, science and industry synergies in the direction of innovation.
Zane Petre, Head of Mission of the European Commission in Latvia, addressed the project in the opening event, highlighting the importance of the project in the overall European context, the Finance Minister's advisor to the budget Ints Dālderis and the Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science, Santa Šmīdlere.
The activities planned in the project – the development and research of study modules – were presented by Professor Vyacheslav Kashchev, Professor Andris Ambainis, lead researcher of the UL Institute of Chemical Physics, Gita Kunakova, Head of UL Institute of Solid Physics Andris Anspoks, RTU Telecommunications Institute Professor of the Institute and lead researcher Jurģis Poriņš and lead researcher of the UL Mathematical and Ininformatics Institute Juris Vīksna.
Meanwhile, “Accenture Baltics” head of innovation, Kristaps Banga, welcomed the already-existing industry collaboration with researchers in the quest for quantum algorithms in the medical field, and the industry's readiness to continue research in other directions.
It has already been reported that Latvia's leading scientists and faculty from the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, UL Institute of Cietal Physics and UL Institute of Mathematics and informatics have joined forces to create the Latvian Quantum Initiative – an association that will help to better monitor and coordinate activities related to quantum technologies in Latvia. The project, funded by the European Union Recovery Fund, the “quantum technology initiative”, will be implemented by the partners involved in the association, will make a significant contribution to quantum technology research and education in Latvia and will promote the acquisition of high-level digital skills useful for the future labour market.
The €17 million funding from the EU Recovery Fund has been allocated together to three high-level digital skills acquisition projects: 1) The Quant Technology Initiative (UL), 2) Language Technology Initiative (UL), 3) Higher-level digital skills acquisition in Latvia in the field of high-performance computing technologies (RTU).
