MIT Bengaluru Inaugurates Quantum-Hub@MAHE for Education

Manipal Institute of Technology, Bengaluru (MIT Bengaluru) has inaugurated the Manipal House of Quantum, known as Quantum-Hub@MAHE, at the MAHE Bengaluru campus. Established by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, the facility aims to strengthen quantum engineering, research, innovation and workforce development in line with India’s National Quantum Mission.

The inauguration took place on Tuesday, 14 October 2026. Chief Guest Dr. Sridhar Vembu, Chief Scientist and Co-Founder of Zoho Corp, and Guest of Honour Dr. Marcus Rommel, CTO of ConScience, formally opened the centre. They were joined by Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor of MAHE; Lieutenant General (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), 7th Vice Chancellor of MAHE and Advisor to MEMG; Prof. (Dr.) Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor of MAHE Bengaluru; Dr. Karunakar A. Kotegar, Pro Vice Chancellor for Technology & Science at MAHE; Dr. Raghavendra Prabhu, Additional Registrar of MAHE Bengaluru; Prof. Iven Jose, Director of MIT Bengaluru; and Mr. Vishal Chatrath, Co-Founder and CEO of QuantrolOx.

Located on the MAHE Bengaluru campus, the quantum facility gives students, researchers and industry collaborators hands-on access to advanced quantum computing infrastructure. This includes quantum hardware, cryogenic systems and quantum control technologies. Through an integrated academic framework, the centre will support experimentation, application development, deep-tech start-up incubation, component innovation, testing and translational research. Officials said the initiative positions MIT Bengaluru as an emerging centre for quantum engineering and indigenous hardware development.

The facility begins operations with a 25-qubit open-architecture dilution refrigeration system designed for advanced training and experimentation. This forms the first phase of a structured roadmap that will progress from sub-50-qubit training systems to 150-qubit proof-of-concept platforms and, eventually, to industrial-grade quantum product systems with more than 1,000 qubits.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Sridhar Vembu said: “Q-HUB is a place for students to dream, think deeply and turn their ideas into conviction and action. Just as personal computers and the internet transformed possibilities for my generation, quantum computing can empower this generation to build new machines, create breakthrough applications and take India to greater heights.”

Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor of MAHE, highlighted the university’s commitment to emerging technologies: “The MAHE House of Quantum at MIT Bengaluru reflects MAHE’s commitment to building advanced scientific capabilities and nurturing talent in emerging technologies. By creating access to modern quantum infrastructure, we aim to contribute meaningfully to India’s growing quantum ecosystem.”

Prof. (Dr.) Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor of MAHE Bengaluru, noted the interdisciplinary potential of the hub: “The Hub brings together education, research and innovation on a common platform. It will create opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and help translate academic research into real-world technological impact.”

Prof. Iven Jose, Director of MIT Bengaluru, emphasised the practical benefits for learners: “The quantum facility at MIT Bengaluru will provide students and researchers with valuable exposure to real quantum systems and engineering environments. It marks an important step towards developing the next generation of quantum scientists, engineers and innovators.”

In preparation for the launch, faculty members and students from the Bengaluru and Manipal campuses completed specialised training at the MIT Bengaluru campus and the QuantrolOx laboratory at QuTech, TU Delft, in the Netherlands. The programme focused on practical skills in dilution refrigerator assembly, cryogenic systems, quantum control technologies, QPU measurements and superconducting quantum hardware. This training has prepared the team to support day-to-day operations at the new facility.

The centre will support learning and research across multiple domains, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, oncology, aerospace and advanced computing. It is also expected to strengthen MIT Bengaluru’s partnerships with industry and research organisations while building a future-ready talent pipeline in quantum technologies.

The initiative has been formalised through Memorandums of Agreement with QuantrolOx of Finland, in association with Bluefors of Finland, Qblox of the Netherlands and ConScience of Sweden. These collaborations set out a first-year roadmap centred on workforce development, hardware experimentation, intellectual property co-development and national testing infrastructure.

As part of its workforce development plans, the quantum facility aims to train 100 quantum engineers by December 2026. It will also run quantum awareness programmes, summer and winter camps for Class 10 and Class 12 students across rural India, short hands-on exposure programmes and capacity-building initiatives for technical professionals.

Researchers, start-ups and industry partners will gain access to advanced quantum testing and measurement infrastructure. Officials said this access will help strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and India’s broader quantum technology ecosystem.

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Manipal Academy of Higher Education is an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University. It offers more than 400 specialisations across Health Sciences, Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Technology & Science streams through campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur and Dubai. In 2020 the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE Institution of Eminence status. The university currently ranks third in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings and is recognised for its academic track record, infrastructure and research contributions.

The launch of Quantum-Hub@MAHE marks a concrete step by MIT Bengaluru and MAHE to expand educational and research opportunities in quantum technologies, providing students and researchers with direct exposure to advanced systems while contributing to national goals in the field.