Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) inaugurated Quantum-Hub@MAHE at its Bengaluru campus, an initiative designed to advance quantum hardware experimentation and engineering education. Dr. Sridhar Vembu, Chief Scientist and Co-Founder of Zoho Corp, officially opened the facility, which aims to bolster India’s National Quantum Mission through indigenous technology development. “Q-HUB is a place for students to dream, think deeply and turn their ideas into conviction and action,” said Dr. Vembu at the launch. The facility begins operation with a 25-qubit open-architecture dilution refrigeration system.
Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu Opens Quantum-Hub@MAHE at MIT Bengaluru
The new facility, established by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an “Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University,” is designed to cultivate both practical experimentation with quantum hardware and a robust educational program for future quantum engineers. MAHE’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sharath K. Rao, highlighted this commitment, stating, “The MAHE House of Quantum Bengaluru reflects MAHE’s commitment to building advanced scientific capabilities and nurturing talent in emerging technologies.
By creating access to modern quantum infrastructure, we aim to contribute meaningfully to India’s growing quantum ecosystem.” This dual focus differentiates Quantum-Hub@MAHE from facilities primarily dedicated to theoretical research, aligning with the goals of India’s National Quantum Mission to translate scientific advancements into tangible technological capabilities. Faculty and students from both the Bengaluru and Manipal campuses underwent specialized training at Bengaluru and the QuantrolOx laboratory at QuTech, in the Netherlands, preparing them to operate and maintain the advanced quantum infrastructure.
This proactive approach to workforce development included hands-on experience in dilution refrigerator assembly, cryogenic systems and quantum control technologies, ensuring the team possesses the skills necessary to support the facility’s operations. The initial phase of development centers around a 25-qubit open-architecture dilution refrigeration system, intended for both advanced training and experimentation, with a roadmap extending to 150-qubit proof-of-concept platforms and ultimately, industrial-grade systems exceeding 1,000 qubits.
The facility’s establishment is formalized through Memorandums of Agreement with QuantrolOx of Finland, of the Netherlands and ConScience of Sweden, establishing a collaborative framework for workforce development, hardware experimentation and intellectual property co-development. These partnerships are designed to accelerate the pace of innovation and establish a national testing infrastructure for quantum technologies.
Prof. Iven Jose, Director of Bengaluru, emphasized the facility’s role in nurturing the next generation of quantum specialists, saying, “The quantum facility at Bengaluru will provide students and researchers with valuable exposure to real quantum systems and engineering environments.” Beyond research, Quantum-Hub@MAHE aims to train 100 quantum engineers by December 2026 and will offer quantum awareness programs, summer camps for secondary school students in rural India, and capacity-building initiatives for technical professionals.
Just as personal computers and the internet transformed possibilities for my generation, quantum computing can empower this generation to build new machines, create breakthrough applications and take India to greater heights.” The facility will also support research in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and advanced computing, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthening India’s position within the global quantum technology landscape. (Dr.) Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE Bengaluru, added, “The Hub brings together education, research and innovation on a common platform.”
The MAHE House of Quantum at MIT Bengaluru reflects MAHE’s commitment to building advanced scientific capabilities and nurturing talent in emerging technologies.
Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE
See today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals.
