PNW is taking a bold step toward being a leader in an emerging field of study.
The university’s new Quantum Commercialization Center, to be built in downtown Hammond, will position PNW as a leader in quantum technology—which promises faster, more secure communication and calculations—while offering students and the surrounding region exciting new opportunities in a rapidly growing field.
The QCC will act as the school’s stop on a quantum highway being built in the Chicago area. This technology uses quantum mechanics to allow computation to happen much faster. PNW aims to bridge the gap between industry and research, making the area more technologically advanced.
“This partnership places PNW at the forefront of a rapidly growing industry,” said Matt Wells, the university’s chief engagement officer. “It allows our students to enter the field early, keeping both the university and our graduates ahead of the curve.”
The center’s core areas of focus will be quantum cryptography and cybersecurity—fields where PNW already has classes and expertise. Quantum computing will improve existing encryption methods, making advancements in these areas widely sought after in the future.
Wells said that once the QCC is built, the university plans to add classes in the cybersecurity field and create a quantum computing major.
He said the technology’s benefits will go beyond the classroom as the main purpose of the QCC will be for local businesses to take advantage of the quantum corridor. Chicago is becoming a major player for quantum computing.
“The developments coming from colleges and startups in Chicago could position the Chicagoland area for significant economic growth,” said Wells.
For students, the center provides a unique chance to break into a high-demand industry at an early stage in education compared to other institutions.
“As a foreign student where this technology hasn’t reached my home country on a wide scale,” said Hirak Modi, working on a masters in Computer Science, “It is great to see that where I plan to work with my business is staying ahead of the curve.”
