Charting the Quantum Future: International Experts Convene at Sunway University's Quantum Innovation Symposium

On 16 July 2026, Sunway University, Malaysia, in collaboration with Lancaster University, UK, through the Future Cities Research Institute (FCRI) a joint research institute that serves as a platform for advancing collaborative research between both universities successfully hosted the Quantum Innovation Symposium (QIS). The symposium brought together leading researchers, academics, industry experts, and students to explore the transformative potential of quantum technologies and their opportunities for addressing future scientific, technological, and societal challenges.

The symposium highlighted the growing importance of quantum technologies, including quantum computing, quantum communications, quantum sensing, and quantum materials—as key drivers of innovation. It also underscored the need for strong international collaboration to accelerate research, develop talent, and build a sustainable quantum ecosystem.

The event commenced with opening remarks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saad Aslam, Head of the School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), Sunway University, and Prof. Ziad Melhem, Co-Director of the Quantum Innovation Lancaster (QIL). Both speakers highlighted the strong and evolving partnership between Sunway University and Lancaster University, underscoring their shared vision to accelerate advancements in quantum research, nurture interdisciplinary collaborations, strengthen global knowledge exchange, and develop the future generation of quantum scientists, engineers, and innovators.

The symposium featured an outstanding line-up of international experts, including Prof. Ziad Melhem, Prof. Jonathan Prance, Prof. Richard Haley, Prof. Ben Robinson, Dr. Steve Fish, and Prof. Noor Zaman Jhanjhi, who delivered insightful keynotes covering quantum communications, quantum computing and sensing, quantum materials, and the infrastructure required to support future quantum innovation.

A key highlight was the expert panel discussion, which examined how academia, industry, and government can work together to accelerate quantum research, innovation, commercialisation, and workforce development.

The symposium concluded with a strategic roundtable session that identified priority areas for future collaboration, joint research initiatives, talent development, and international partnerships. The discussions reinforced the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in advancing quantum technologies while ensuring their responsible, sustainable, and impactful adoption.

The Quantum Innovation Symposium reflects Sunway University's continued commitment to advancing frontier research, strengthening global partnerships, and positioning Malaysia as an emerging contributor to the rapidly evolving global quantum technology landscape.