Career Trends: September 28, 2022
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Content Credit:
- Article by Rajlakshmi Ghosh, published on educationtimes.com. Original article link.
With the Government of India announcing the ‘National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NM-QTA)’ in 2020 and financial support over five years in the field, there seems to be an urgent need for a trained workforce in quantum technologies.
Keeping the larger prospects in view, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, commenced the first-of-its-kind MTech in Quantum Technology programme in 2021. The 2-year programme will be formally hosted by the Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics, training students in quantum technology for both advanced research and industry.
Students can choose from four different streams:
- Quantum Computation and Simulation
- Quantum Communications
- Quantum Measurement and Sensing
- Materials for Quantum Technologies
Apoorva Patel, professor, Centre for High Energy Physics, IISc, Bengaluru, mentions how the support from industries, in terms of summer internships for students and the use of their resources on cloud technologies, will help in collaborating with them and initiating startups
Post their research, the students can decide whether to pursue academics, government research laboratories, industrial jobs or their own startups.
Why study Quantum Technology?
What makes quantum technology a key area of interest among researchers and industries is its capability to not only transform some of the major sectors like computing and communications but also have a deep impact on the gadgets that we use in our day-to-day life such as mobile phones, GPS etc.
This technology is important for strategic sectors, including defence and data security.
Several government departments, ministries and laboratories such as DST, MEITy, DRDO and ISRO are looking at substantial investments in this area. Several major industrial players such as Google, IBM, Microsoft etc have drawn up their roadmaps towards niche aspects of quantum technology.
Consequently, there is an enormous opportunity for growth within the country. IISc, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore, are actively working in this field.
Quantum Technology vs Quantum Physics:
Quantum technology represents a new set of technological advances that depend on certain hidden features of quantum physics. Using these ‘hidden’ properties, certain computations can be done much faster than even the best supercomputers today.
Through quantum technology, it is possible to communicate information so securely that even hackers cannot tap into it. Sensors can be made for imaging the brain, detecting cancerous cells or pre-warn on natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis etc. To put it broadly, quantum physics is the operating principle of quantum technology.
Rising Demand:
- The demand for quantum technology, and experts in this field, are on a rapid rise.
- There is an urgent need to train qualified personnel in this field.
- In India alone, it is expected to create about 50,000 direct/indirect jobs in the near term, and 2,00,000 in the longer term.
Career Scope:
- In addition to various universities eagerly hiring students to conduct research, there are also MNCs like IBM, Google, Microsoft and Intel that have been working in this area for over a decade.
- Amazon and Honeywell have entered the fray recently.
- There are several opportunities for startups, both in India and abroad.
Who can study the course?
- Candidates need to hold a BE, BTech or equivalent degree in any engineering discipline.
- Or a 4-year BS, MSc or equivalent degree in any science discipline.
- In all cases, a valid score on Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE ) and a solid mathematical background will be required.
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Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet?
Why cyber forensics courses can give you lucrative career options
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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