India and Finland will establish an Indo-Finnish virtual network centre on quantum computing. This move is aimed at stimulating innovative research and development projects to address needs of both nations.
The decision was announced during a meeting in the presence of Mika Lintila, visiting Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister, government of India.
To this end, an MoU was signed by Secretary Science and Technology, government of India and secretary science, government of Finland. Thereafter, a formal briefing to the media was made after the conclusion of delegation-level talks led by the two ministers on behalf of their respective countries.
Addressing the event, Dr. Singh said that the bilateral STI collaboration between the two countries is an attempt to stimulate innovative research and development (R&D) projects that address a specific need or challenge, demonstrate high industrial relevance and commercial potential and aim to deliver benefit to both the nations.
Further, Dr. Singh informed that the Indian side has identified three premier institutes, IIT Madras; IISER Pune and C-DAC Pune, for Virtual Network Centre on Quantum Computing. He further noted that the move comes in the wake of the decision taken in the last Joint Committee meeting held in November 2020 to initiate cooperation in new emerging areas like 5G; Quantum Computing and sustainability by involving, academia, industries and start-ups of the two countries.
Additionally, Dr. Singh mentioned that the Department of Science and Technology has initiated several new mission mode programs like electric vehicles, cyber physical system, quantum technologies, future manufacturing, green hydrogen fuel, etc. and sought joint collaboration with Finland in solving issues of societal challenges. The minister said that the bilateral STI collaboration between the two countries is an attempt to stimulate innovative R&D projects that address a specific need or challenge, demonstrate high industrial relevance and commercial potential and aim to deliver benefit to both the nations.
