Bowie State Joins IBM-HBCU Quantum Center to Boost Workforce Diversity

Bowie State is One of 10 More HBCUs Added to the Center

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – Bowie State University has joined the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center, the nation’s first quantum education and research initiative for historically Black colleges and universities aimed at driving quantum skills development and building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Bowie State University is one of 10 newly added institutions that comprise the 23 HBCUs that have joined the center to date. As part of the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center, Bowie State students and faculty will have access to IBM quantum computers on the cloud, as well as opportunities for joint collaboration on research, education and community outreach programs.
 
“Quantum computing and technology could be the next revolution in computation,” said Dr. Chaobin Liu, a professor in the BSU Department of Mathematics and the BSU liaison to the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center. “We are excited to be a part of the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center because it will be beneficial to students and faculty. Bowie State students will have first access to quantum internships and fellowships, and our faculty research can be fostered through an exchange of ideas and possible collaborations with peers within this community.”

Dr. Liu is also the Bowie State representative on the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance, a hub of quantum technology research, development, innovation and education comprised of university, government and industry partners. Bowie State’s growing capabilities in quantum computing will continue to expand through participation in the alliance and the IBM initiative.

Driving a Diverse & Inclusive Quantum Workforce 

Established in September 2020, the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center is a multi-year investment designed to prepare and develop talent at HBCUs from all STEM disciplines for the quantum future. It emphasizes the power of community and focuses on developing students through support and funding for research opportunities, curriculum development, workforce advocacy and special projects. 
 
IBM continues to deliver on the center’s goal to build a sustainable quantum research and education program by increasing the number of Black students educated in quantum information science and engineering (QISE), strengthening research efforts of faculty at HBCUs in QISE, providing opportunities for scholarships, fellowships and internships, and empowering HBCUs to lead in the quantum workforce and broader Black communities.
 
"IBM’s priority in launching the center is to support and facilitate quantum research and education for HBCU faculty and students as part of the growing quantum workforce,” said Dr. Kayla Lee, product manager for community partnerships, for IBM Quantum. “We’re proud to continue building on the momentum of the founding institutions and looking forward to collaborating with Bowie State University to build a quantum future.”
 
In addition to Bowie State University, the other nine universities joining the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center include:  

• Alabama State University
• Delaware State University
• Dillard University
• Florida A&M University
• Norfolk State University  
• North Carolina Central University  
• South Carolina State University
• Tennessee State University
• University of the District of Columbia

The 23 HBCUs participating in the center were prioritized based on their research and education focus in physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science and other STEM fields. For more information about the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center, read HBCU Center Driving Diversity and Inclusion in Quantum Computing. 

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.