Unveiling Ceremony of the Center of Excellence in Quantum Computing at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Abbottabad Campus by Caretaker Chief Minister (CM) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Justice (R) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah on December 17, 2023

The CUI Abbottabad campus had the honor of hosting the CM-KP as an auspicious occasion of the unveiling ceremony of the Center of Excellence in Quantum Computing on December 17, 2023, at 3:00 pm.

The program began with the recitation of the holy Quran, by BS Electrical Power Engineering student, Mr. Muhammad Talha. Acknowledgment of efforts of the founder Rector CUI Dr.  Syed Muhammad Junaid Zaidi H.I, S.I and Founder Director of Abbottabad Campus Mr. Haroon Rashid were shared with the attendees, followed by prayers for the eternal blessings of the Almighty on Mr. Haroon Rashid who had passed away on 14 September 2023.

Director COMSATS University Abbottabad Campus Prof. Dr. Mohammad Maroof Shah addressed the audience and thanked the Chief Minister KPK and Minister of Science & Technology, and IT KP, for trusting COMSATS University and partnering in a very important and timely initiative of Quantum Computing Consortium of the KP government, announcement of the Center of Excellence in Quantum Computing and declaring Abbottabad as the quantum Valley.

He reiterated that COMSATS University Abbottabad has the capacity and capability to take the lead in the initiative of the Center of Excellence in Quantum Computing Center and Quantum Valley. Director CUI Abbottabad also conceded to contribute to the capacity building of weaker and/or new universities in KP particularly in the areas of ICT, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Data Sciences, and many other disciplines. He further shared his commitment to support the CM vision in training 5 lac youngsters of the KPK in current technologies & areas of market needs.

The Minister for Science and Technology & IT KP Dr Najibullah addressed the audience and presented the facts and figures comparing how Silicon Valley was established in the USA versus the inauguration of the Quantum Valley being inaugurated at Abbottabad. He affirmed that if we keep on repackaging the already existing technologies, we will not succeed. We need solutions that will bring expertise and knowledge to the youth of the country by bringing in cutting-edge technologies and empowering our youth in the advanced areas required for building bigger and better solutions to fulfill the world’s needs.

Later, Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Justice (R) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah unveiled the Center of Excellence for Quantum Computing at COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus as a revolutionary initiative in the field of information technology. This will be the first and unique center of its kind in the country where the youth will gain knowledge and training on quantum computing on international standards.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Center of Excellence for Quantum Computing, The Chief Minister announced an amount of two billion rupees grant for a quantum computing project in the province while Abbottabad and Haripur were officially named as Quantum Valley.

In his address, the Chief Minister said that the province is determined to make the province a center of information technology. He said that the youth are the real capital of the country, and it is necessary to adapt them to the requirements of the modern era.

He said that under this program 0.5 million youth will be taught soft skills related to the field. The Chief Minister said that steps are being taken to attract foreign investment in the province and an investment conference will be held in January in this regard. While appreciating the role of COMSATS University in providing modern education and training to the youth, the Chief Minister assured the support of the entire provincial government to open CUI, campuses in other districts as well.

Chief Minister planted a Magnolia tree on the campus lawn and presented a shield and certificates to the pioneer employees of COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad campus to acknowledge their meritorious services rendered since the establishment of the institution in 2001. These individuals have consistently showcased unwavering commitment and diligence.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also distributed laptops among the students of COMSATS University Abbottabad Campus under the Prime Minister Laptop Scheme. Supervising Provincial Minister for Information Technology KP, Dr. Najeebullah, and other speakers also addressed the event and termed the inauguration of the Center of Excellence for Quantum Computing as a revolutionary initiative of the Chief Minister KP. The event concluded with an exchange of souvenirs.