Rudolfovo, Science and Technology Centre Novo mesto hosted the Second Slovenian Forum on Quantum Computing on November 5, 2026, in collaboration with Qutes. The event, titled “From Research Achievements to Building Quantum Capabilities”, united experts from research institutions, businesses and the ministry responsible for science to explore advances in the field. Participants discussed not only what quantum computers can do but also what is needed to put their capabilities to use in research and industry. The programme ranged from strategic priorities to research findings and experiences in developing quantum systems.
Quantum Infrastructure Development for Slovenia’s First Computer
Dr. David Rabanus from Forschungszentrum Jülich detailed experiences with the JUNIQ infrastructure, emphasizing that establishing quantum computing capacity extends beyond simply acquiring a computer. Integrating quantum computers into existing supercomputing environments requires careful consideration of software, algorithm development and accessible user pathways, alongside the specialized expertise needed for operation and use. Rabanus’s presentation highlighted the complex ecosystem necessary to support these advanced systems, moving beyond hardware acquisition to a complete infrastructure.
Jan Gorše, Nika Podlipnik, and Jure Thaler presented work focused on building trust in these emerging technologies, outlining the importance of robust development, thorough testing and the establishment of clear standards. This focus on reliability and validation is critical for supporting wider adoption and ensuring the responsible implementation of quantum solutions within both research and industrial applications.
Blaznik’s presentation detailed a roadmap for building this capability, suggesting a focused strategy for quantum hardware development within the country. “Kaj danes zmorejo kvantni računalniki in kaj potrebujemo, da bi njihove zmogljivosti lahko uporabljali pri raziskovanju in v gospodarstvu?” was a central question posed during the forum, reflecting the drive to translate research achievements into practical applications. The event, held in conjunction with the Month of Science and World Science Day for Peace and Development, emphasised the importance of connecting research with the broader public.
Presentations by Jakub Pawłowski and Dr. Roman Kužel explored optimization techniques relevant to quantum computing, with Pawłowski focusing on closing the quantum-classical scaling gap in approximate optimization, and Kužel detailing QUBO formulations for quantum annealing. These presentations suggest a growing focus on developing algorithms that can effectively use the unique capabilities of quantum processors for solving complex problems.
Jaka Vodeb also presented research on false vacuum decay on a quantum annealer, further expanding the scope of algorithmic exploration at the forum. The discussions at Rudolfovo demonstrate a concerted effort to address both the hardware and software challenges inherent in realizing the potential of quantum computation.
QUBO Formulations and Benchmarking for Quantum-Classical Comparisons
Roman Kužel of Rudolfovo presented research showing that the selection of penalty coefficients within QUBO formulations significantly impacts solver performance, a finding with implications for optimizing quantum annealing applications. This suggests that simply having a quantum computer is insufficient. Careful algorithm design and mathematical modelling are essential for achieving effective results. Fairly comparing quantum and classical computing requires robust benchmarking, and researchers presented several approaches to assess performance limitations.
Mátyás Koniorczyk from Hungary’s HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics introduced challenging benchmark problems for assessing the performance and limitations of different solvers. The forum also explored how the choice of mathematical formulation impacts resource requirements and solution quality.
Tomislav Erdelić from the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences demonstrated this with routing problems, showing that different QUBO preparations can lead to vastly different computational costs. This connection between algorithms, mathematical models, and available hardware was a recurring theme, with Prof. Janez Povh of Rudolfovo presenting a hybrid solver that combines classical computing methods with quantum annealing to address hard optimisation problems, the company says.
“Encoding Matters More Than the Solver: Penalty Coefficients in QUBO Formulations for Quantum Annealing,” was the title of Dr. Kužel’s presentation, encapsulating this focus on the importance of problem formulation. The need for standardized benchmarks and careful mathematical formulation is becoming increasingly apparent as the field moves beyond theoretical demonstrations towards practical applications.
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