2009 Budget Plan includes a 50 million dollar grant for IQC
The federal government officially announced the 2009 budget plan and allocated a $50 million grant to the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) for scientific research and groundbreaking experiments. The Institute is a world leader in research and teaching in the field of quantum information, a discipline that opens opportunities for the development of new technologies and creation of jobs.
The 2009 budget states, "[we] will provide $50 million to the Institute to support the construction and establishment of a new world-class research facility that will contribute to achieving the goals of the Government's science and technology strategy." Following last year's throne speech in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said: "We will also continue to support and encourage private sector research, development and commercialization of new products and innovations: we will make further investments in Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing, an emerging world leader in the areas of computer, engineering, mathematical and physical sciences."
This news follows other, positive recognition in the fall of '06 when the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) assessed the Institute. The federal review gave a thorough, peer-reviewed assessment of all activities and determined IQC 's international level of distinction in scientific research.
The NSERC review panel said: "The Committee believes IQC to be the best institution of its type in the world today. The quality of IQC's work is exceptional; it has acquired excellent faculty and students in its first four years of operation; it enjoys strong commitment from UW senior management; and IQC has attracted private financial support at a level almost unique in the physical sciences."
Moreover, an international panel, a year later mentioned: "This proposal to outfit the world's best centre for quantum computing, is very broad in scope, dealing with a variety of proposed research activities and technologies. The quantum-related research proposed is outstanding, exciting and world class, and will lead to considerable economic benefits through significant increases in knowledge, device development and creation of spin-off companies."
David Johnston, President of the University of Waterloo claims, "This puts us in a position to be best in the world in this new area of science."
Raymond Laflamme, Director of IQC says, "IQC is proud of its achievements and the recognition both at the international research level and from the government of Canada. $25M will be put towards the completion of IQC's share of the Quantum-Nano Centre and the other half will be used for overall operations and to attract researchers to IQC. We are determined to be standing at the forefront on the leading edge of research in a field of tremendous potential for the future of Canada. IQC wishes to thank all supporters who have contributed to its success."
About IQC: Founded in 2002, the mission of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is to aggressively explore and advance the application of quantum mechanical systems to a vast array of relevant information processing techniques.
A part of the University of Waterloo, IQC creates a truly unique environment that fosters cutting-edge research and collaboration between researchers in the areas of computer, engineering, mathematical and physical sciences.
At the time of this release, IQC has 17 faculty members, 20 postdoctoral fellows and over 73 students and research assistants, as well as a support staff of 10.
Contact:
Institute for Quantum Computing
Wendy Reibel