London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Sep 14, 2025

Elite Chinese school offers country’s first quantum tech PhD programme

Elite Chinese school offers country’s first quantum tech PhD programme

The University of Science and Technology of China’s new programme reflects the government’s focus to increase the number of quantum tech researchers in the country.

The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), one of the country’s top public research institutes, is now offering the nation’s first doctoral degree programme in quantum science and technology, as a global race to lead in this field intensifies.

Located in Hefei, capital of eastern Anhui province, USTC will “accelerate cultivating leading talent” in quantum science and technology, while contributing to the country’s goal of being “at the forefront of the world” in this field, according to a statement released by the university last Friday.

Its doctoral curriculum for quantum science and technology is among 54 new academic programmes approved by the State Council, China’s cabinet, last month. Other newly approved doctoral programmes include one for artificial intelligence at Peking University in Beijing and another for nuclear science and technology at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, capital of southern Guangdong province.

USTC’s new academic programme reflects the government’s focus on increasing the number of quantum researchers in the country, years after it designated Hefei as site of the National Laboratory for Quantum Information Science, touted as the world’s largest quantum technology research facility. In 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping met some of the country’s top quantum physicists to tell them that the facility forms part of the national strategy, as the world underwent “the biggest change in a century”.

Days after China’s top legislature approved in March the 14th five-year plan from 2021 to 2025, Xi highlighted the need for the country to become a “global centre for science and innovation”, including in quantum computing technology.

The University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, capital of eastern Anhui province, is part of the country’s elite C9 league, equivalent to the Ivy League in the United States.


Quantum technology is one of the most complicated areas of physics, as it explores the behaviour of subatomic particles and how these can be used to advance computing power way beyond the reach of conventional supercomputers.

Chinese physicists have recently claimed breakthroughs in quantum computing. Earlier this month, the team of 14 Chinese scientists behind the New Generation Sunway exascale supercomputer won this year’s annual Gordon Bell Prize for a breakthrough that closes the gap in so-called quantum supremacy.

In October, a team of Chinese scientists announced the development of two quantum computers – the Zuchongzhi 2 and the Jiuzhang 2 – which possess performance speeds surpassing those of Western rivals. This team’s lead researcher is renowned USTC professor Pan Jianwei.

China’s quantum science and technology efforts, however, have been put under scrutiny by the US government. Washington last week added a dozen more Chinese firms to its trade blacklist, including companies involved in semiconductors and quantum computing.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
Nvidia’s ‘Wow’ Factor Is Fading. The AI chip giant used to beat Wall Street expectations for earnings by a substantial margin. That trajectory is coming down to earth.
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Prince Harry Returns to Britain
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Murdoch Family Finalises $3.3 Billion Succession Pact, Ensuring Eldest Son’s Leadership
Big Oil Slashes Jobs and Investments Amid Prolonged Low Crude Prices
Court Staff Cover Up Banksy Image of Judge Beating a Protester
Social Media Access Curtailed in Turkey After CHP Calls for Rallies Following Police Blockade of Istanbul Headquarters
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
Elon Musk Poised to Become First Trillionaire Under Ambitious Tesla Pay Plan
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
Burning the Minister’s House Helped Protesters to Win Justice: Prabowo Fires Finance Minister in Wake of Indonesia Protests
Brazil Braces for Fallout from Bolsonaro Trial by corrupted judge
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
Nearly 40 Years Later: Nike Changes the Legendary Slogan Just Do It
×