College Park, Maryland-based quantum computing company IonQ has renewed its partnership with South Korea’s Sungkyunkwan University to help grow South Korean quantum technology capabilities. IonQ said that under the tie-up, researchers and academics will continue to have access to IonQ’s trapped-ion quantum systems through SKKU’s Q Center in Seoul.
IonQ President and CEO Peter Chapman pointed out that as quantum technology advances “at breakneck speeds,” training with the latest hardware available is necessary for the next generation of researchers and academics.
In January 2021, IonQ and the research university signed the initial agreement for a three-year partnership to support Korea as an international hub for quantum computing.
In June 2023, IonQ also signed a memorandum of agreement with South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT to promote quantum science education and help create a local quantum ecosystem.
In another partnership, the U.S. company and Hyundai Motors have agreed to collaborate on quantum computing applications in electric vehicle battery efficiency and other projects.
IonQ’s initiatives in South Korea align with U.S. government efforts, such as the memorandum of understanding between the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science in January for collaboration on precision metrology for quantum computing.
