World Quantum Day 2025 – Launch of the FreeYa Mind Campus Road to Practitioner Program
On April 14, 2025, as the world celebrated World Quantum Day, FreeYa Mind Campus marked the occasion by taking an important step forward in quantum education. On this date, the Road to Practitioner Program was officially launched — a structured educational initiative designed to guide participants from introductory concepts to practitioner-level proficiency in quantum computing. The program was developed and delivered by FreeYa Mind Campus in collaboration with the IBM Quantum EMEA Education & Workforce Development team, representing a significant milestone for Romaniaʼs quantum education landscape. IBM specialists Dr. Fabio Scafirimuto and Marcel V. Pfaffhauser contributed to the success of the launch through their presence, support, and expertise. The initiative generated considerable interest, with over 100 participants registering and actively taking part in the program, reflecting the growing appetite for advanced quantum education in Romania.
About the Road to Practitioner Program
The Road to Practitioner (R2P) Program was specifically tailored for researchers, PhD candidates, university professors, and students committed to advancing their understanding of quantum computing. It aimed to provide Romanian professionals and academics with a solid theoretical foundation, complemented by hands-on experience using IBMʼs Qiskit ecosystem.
Delivered over several weekly sessions, the program blended theoretical instruction with practical problem-solving using quantum algorithms and tools. This ensured a comprehensive and applied learning experience in a rapidly evolving technological field.
The R2P Program was also conceived as a preparatory stage for advanced learning tracks, including the Train the Trainers module and the Road to Utility Program. These upcoming components are intended to further develop local expertise and empower researchers to tackle real-world challenges using quantum methodologies.
Institutional Participation and Acknowledgments
The successful implementation of the program was made possible through collaboration with several academic and research institutions, including:
- Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași
- Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași
- Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iași
- Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca (UBB Cluj)
- "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iași – Romanian Academy
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies (INCDTIM Cluj-Napoca)
New Strategic Partnerships for the Quantum Innovation Center
During the same period, FreeYa Mind Campus welcomed two esteemed institutions as new partners within the Quantum Innovation Center (QIC):
- Babeș-Bolyai University – Cluj-Napoca (UBB Cluj): Renowned for its academic excellence and longstanding contributions to education, research, and innovation.
- The National Institute for R&D of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies (INCDTIM Cluj-Napoca): A leading research institute in Romania, with recognized expertise in fields such as mass spectrometry, molecular physics, nanostructured systems, and isotope technology.
Their integration into the QIC ecosystem significantly strengthened the campusʼs collaborative and interdisciplinary capabilities, further reinforcing its role as a national hub for advanced quantum education and research.
