SKT Joins Industry-Academia-Research Collaboration to Expand Quantum Ecosystem

SK Telecom announced on the 22nd that it has signed a business agreement with the Quantum Sapiens Talent Development Center for research and development and exchange in the field of quantum technology.

SKT stated that this collaboration is significant in terms of contributing to the cultivation of quantum science talent and the expansion of the quantum ecosystem, which are part of the national quantum development strategy policy. In particular, with the rapid advancement of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and 6G, where the importance of security is increasingly emphasized, SKT announced that it will provide high security through quantum cryptography communication technology.

Son In-hyuk, Head of Innovation Business at SKT (left), and Choi Man-su, Director of the Quantum Sapiens Talent Development Center (right), attending the business agreement ceremony held at Korea University Graduate School of Quantum Science and Technology
Photo by SKT

The Quantum Sapiens Talent Development Center is the only industry-academia-research consortium in Korea, established in 2022 with the goal of nurturing specialized talent to lead the quantum technology era. It involves 7 companies, 9 universities, and 4 research institutes. The center aims to train more than 180 experts required by the quantum information industry by 2030.

The consortium includes 7 companies such as Hyundai Motor Company Advanced Research Institute, Samsung SDS Research Institute, EYL, Telefield, FISYS, Woorinet, and QSIM+, as well as 9 universities including Korea University, Kyung Hee University, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Ajou University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, Hallym University, and Hanyang University. Additionally, 4 research institutes?Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), and Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS)?are also participating.

Through this business agreement, SKT and the Quantum Sapiens Talent Development Center have agreed to collaborate on developing educational programs and joint research related to quantum technologies such as quantum communication, quantum cryptography, quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum-based AI.

Both parties plan to combine efforts in quantum technology research and development by having the Quantum Sapiens Talent Development Center carry out R&D projects proposed by SKT and by holding joint seminars and workshops in the field of quantum technology.

In particular, SKT is considering developing quantum-related educational content for in-house training programs and implementing internship programs to enhance the practical capabilities of future talent for the cultivation of quantum science experts. Alongside this, SKT plans to cooperate on market research in the quantum computing field, which is considering quantum industry market surveys and business area determination, as well as research and development in quantum-based AI.

Son In-hyuk, Head of Innovation Business at SKT, said, "This collaboration is significant in terms of contributing to the cultivation of quantum science talent emphasized at the national level," adding, "Both parties will work closely to lead the expansion of the quantum ecosystem in step with the approaching quantum era."

Choi Man-su, Dean of the Quantum Graduate School at Korea University (the lead institution), said, "The collaboration with SKT is expected to greatly contribute to nurturing specialized talent who can adapt to the industrial environment and lead the future quantum industry," and added, "We will expand joint research and human exchange."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.