The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) hosted the “2025 KAIST-MIT Quantum Information Winter School” from February 6 to 17 at its main campus in Yuseong, Daejeon.
Following the success of the “2024 KAIST-MIT Quantum Information Winter School”, this second edition was designed to spark interest in quantum technology among science and engineering students while providing specialized education. The event was co-organized with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
This year’s program featured distinguished experts in quantum technologies, including Professors Paola Cappellaro, William D. Oliver, and Kevin P. O’Brien, and Assistant Professor Soonwon Choi from MIT, alongside KAIST’s leading scholars, such as Professors Young-Sik Ra, Changhun Oh, Joonwoo Bae, and Jaeyoon Choi.
The curriculum introduced hands-on experiments in key areas like quantum communication, sensing, computing, and simulation. Participants also explored quantum technology’s current technological limitations and prospects. In addition, students visited Korea’s research institutions, including the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), which offered them real-world insights into quantum research applications.
In this regard, Eunseong Kim, Director of the KAIST Graduate School of Quantum Science and Technology, stated, “The 2025 KAIST-MIT Winter School provides a unique learning experience for science and engineering students who are passionate about quantum technology. We hope that through this high-quality education, they will be inspired and grow into key talent leading the future of quantum science.”
Since the fall semester of 2023, KAIST has established its own Graduate School of Quantum Science and Technology for the second time after the Korea University- KIST Consortium under South Korea’s national quantum technology policy.
To lead world-class quantum technology development and secure next-generation foundational technologies for national competitiveness, KAIST’s Graduate School of Quantum Science and Technology has partnered with KRISS, which has been designated by the Ministry of Science and ICT as the National Center for Quantum Technology Strategy. This collaboration is pioneering a new educational model that integrates government-funded research with university education and joint research initiatives.
As part of this initiative, KAIST has introduced a joint advisory system, where KAIST faculty and KRISS researchers, appointed as adjunct professors, mentor students one-on-one. The curriculum covers essential quantum topics such as Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Information (I & II), Quantum Computing, Quantum Software, Quantum Communication and Networks, and Quantum Sensing and Measurement.
KAIST and KRISS have also been actively conducting joint research on various cutting-edge topics, including superconducting quantum computing systems, quantum optics fusion research, single-electron-based flying qubits, multi-platform quantum hybrid systems, neutral atom quantum computing, quantum spintronics, and compact optical-atomic fusion chips for quantum sensing.
The research team includes 13 professors from Department of Physics and 5 professors from School of Electrical Engineering, including Professors Eunseong Kim, Myungsoo Kang, Joonwoo Bae, Kabjin Kim, Sangsik Kim, Youngik Sohn, Sekwon Kim, Youngsik Ra, Jaewook Ahn, Minkyo Seo, Kyungsik Yu, Kyungjin Lee, Heungsun Sim, Junekoo Rhee, Hansuek Lee, Chanho Yang, Jaeyoon Choi, Hyoungsoon Choi. Additionally, 9 adjunct professors from KRISS, including Jaseung Gu, Kyungwoong Moon, Jinwoong Cha, Jongchul Moon, Heesoo Park, Jaehoon Lee, Myungho Bae, Yongho Lee, and Chanyong Hwang, are participating in these collaborative efforts.