Kakinada, 27 April 2025: Quantum Ecosystems Technology Council of India (QETCI), in collaboration with the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada (JNTU-K), and the support of the National Quantum Mission (NQM) successfully organized a two-day in-person Quantum Science & Technology (QST) Awareness Session for Faculty on April 26–27, 2025. The initiative aimed to build foundational awareness and capacity among faculty across academia, aligning with the National Quantum Mission (NQM) and the Amaravati Quantum Valley priorities.
With participation from 217 faculty members representing over 87 colleges and universities affiliated with JNTUK, the event highlighted educational and industrial relevance of QST, and enabled educators to initiate courses, labs, and skill-building programs.
The program included sessions on the quantum education pipeline, applications in critical sectors such as defence and cybersecurity, and ethical considerations in quantum innovation. Industry leaders, national labs, and academic experts showcased real-world demonstrations and shared global best practices, reinforcing the importance of a holistic and inclusive approach to quantum literacy.

Highlights included:

• Live demonstrations of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and quantum simulators.
• Experiments on quantum entanglement and superposition using educational kits.
• Perspectives on the global quantum value chain and societal impacts.
• Education and career pathways for students

Distinguished speakers included:

• Dr. J.B.V. Reddy (Head, Quantum Technology Cell, DST)
• Prof. K. Madhu Murthy (Chairman, AP State Council of Higher Education)
• Prof. C.S.R.K. Prasad (Vice-Chancellor, JNTU- Kakinada)
• Reena Dayal (Founder & CEO, QETCI)
• Dr. Sundar Balakrishna (Special Secretary, ITE&C Dept., Govt. of AP)
• Senior experts from C-DAC, C-DOT, Accenture, QNu Labs, QpiAI, TCS, MNIT Jaipur, IISER Bhopal, and Fortytwo Labs gave valuable contributed to the session.

The sessions emphasized the development of scalable, accessible, and inclusive curricula, including indigenously developed educational kits, while addressing the need for a quantum-proficient workforce to meet national demands. It successfully bridged the knowledge gap between academia and the emerging quantum landscape by equipping faculty with insights into QST, its future potential, and relevant education pathways.

A key immediate result was the commitment from over 100+ colleges, through “quantum champions”, to initiate faculty development programs (FDPs) in quantum science and technology, seeking support from state authorities and the National Quantum Mission. Additionally, JNTU-Kakinada launched a minor program in quantum technologies for incoming batches and introduced quantum open elective to final-year students.

The awareness session yielded substantial outcomes that reinforce the growing momentum in quantum education and capacity building efforts in India. It empowered educators, positioned faculty as key enablers in shaping the next generation of quantum-ready professionals, and expanded quantum literacy across Andhra Pradesh’s and India’s academic landscape.

Future directions and recommendations outlined by QETCI, in the form of a Post-Event Report, have been developed based on a detailed analysis of participant feedback, ensuring that proposed actions directly address identified needs and opportunities.