Dillard University Joins IBM-HBCU Quantum Center

From Dillard University:

February 22, 2021

NEW ORLEANS — Today, Dillard University is announcing that it has joined the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center, the nation’s first quantum education and research initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities aimed at driving quantum skills development and building
a diverse and inclusive quantum workforce. Dillard University is one of 10 newly added
institutions that comprise the 24 HBCUs that have joined the Center to date. As part
of the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center, Dillard University will have access to IBM quantum
computers on the cloud, as well as opportunities for joint collaboration on research,
education, and community outreach programs.

Theodore Callier, assistant vice president for Dillard’s Office of Research and Sponsored
Programs, notes that the University has expanded its laser and nanoscience capabilities while developing new technologies and materials.

“Collaborating with the IBM/HBCU Quantum Computing Center will help Dillard to significantly
expand our research capacity even further. This research will also complement current
Department of Defense sponsored research underway by Dillard faculty and students,”
said Callier.

“With our capabilities in fabricating nanocomposite materials with double and triple
PLD (Pulsed Laser Deposition) systems, this partnership will help us to explore the fabrication of the ‘Qubit’ (the basic unit of quantum information) and open a new horizon for our STEM faculty and students,” said Dr. Abdalla Darwish, presidential professor, professor of physics and lead investigator of the project.

“This IBM/HBCU consortium will support our growth in quantum computing with resources
and access to data and training,” he said. “It gives our faculty and students a new
pathway which is critical to national security and workforce development.”

Driving a Diverse and Inclusive Quantum Workforce 

Established in September 2020, the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center is a multi-year investment
designed to prepare and develop talent at HBCUs from all STEM disciplines for the
quantum future. It emphasizes the power of community and focuses on developing students
through support and funding for research opportunities, curriculum development, workforce
advocacy, and special projects. 

IBM continues to deliver on the Center’s goal to build a sustainable quantum research
and education program by increasing the number of Black students educated in Quantum
Information Science and Engineering (QISE), strengthening research efforts of faculty
at HBCUs in QISE, providing opportunities for scholarships, fellowships and internships,
and empowering HBCUs to lead in the quantum workforce and broader Black communities.

"IBM’s priority in launching the Center is to support and facilitate quantum research
and education for HBCU faculty and students as part of the growing quantum workforce,”
said Dr. Kayla Lee, Product Manager for Community Partnerships, IBM Quantum. “We’re
proud to continue building on the momentum of the founding institutions and looking
forward to collaborating with Dillard University to build a quantum future.”

The 24 HBCUs participating in the Center were prioritized based on their research
and education focus in physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and other
STEM fields. For more information about the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center, read HBCU Center Driving Diversity and Inclusion in Quantum Computing.

About IBM Quantum

IBM Quantum is an industry-first initiative to build universal quantum computing systems
for business and science applications. For more information about IBM's quantum computing
efforts, please visit www.ibm.com/quantum-computing.

Dillard University, located in New Orleans at 2601 Gentilly Blvd., is a private four-year
liberal arts historically black institution with a history dating back to 1869. For
more information, please visit www.dillard.edu. Also, follow us on Twitter, Facebook @DU1869 and Instagram, Dillard University.

This press release was produced by Dillard University. The views expressed are the author's own.