SKKU Sungkyunkwan University
Sungkyunkwan University’s (SKKU) Quantum Information Research Support Center has formally established a strategic alliance with Classiq Technologies, a world leader in quantum algorithm design and optimization, in a move that is expected to completely transform the talent pool for quantum computing in East Asia. A significant change in South Korea’s quantum strategy is marked by the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which moves the country away from hardware-centric training and toward a more resilient, software-centered ecosystem.
A New Chapter in Quantum Workforce Development
The Quantum Information Research Support Center has been leading the charge to develop Korea’s quantum workforce since its founding in August 2020. Under the direction of Director Yonuk Chong, an SKKU professor of quantum information engineering, the Center has a solid history of working with major hardware companies throughout the world. Cloud-based access to systems from leading companies like IBM, IonQ, D-Wave, and Pasqal has been used in previous programs.
But the deal with Israel-based Classiq Technologies is a first for the Center, as it is the first partnership devoted solely to quantum software. The ability to develop, optimize, and implement complicated algorithms is what will ultimately drive the practical commercial application of quantum technology, even though hardware access is crucial, as this pivot acknowledges.
Breaking Barriers with High-Level Modeling
Classiq is well-known for its platform, which connects low-level quantum technology with high-level functional requirements. The necessity for developers to have in-depth, specialized knowledge of intricate hardware architectures has been one of the main obstacles to the adoption of quantum. This is addressed by Classiq’s technology, which offers an autonomous synthesis engine that creates efficient quantum circuits from high-level models.
Classiq’s “Qmod,” the first high-level modeling language in the industry, is essential to this strategy. When developers use Qmod, the platform takes care of the underlying complexity, allowing them to concentrate on the logic of their algorithms. This compiler technology is a performance enhancer, not just a convenience. Up to 98% fewer quantum gates are needed while preserving circuit fidelity thanks to the synthesis engine, which greatly reduces execution costs and boosts speed on hardware of the present generation.
The larger tech community has taken notice of the company’s abilities. Classiq, which just received Fast Company’s “Next Big Thing in Tech 2025” award, has a long list of prestigious clients, including LG CNS, Comcast, Rolls-Royce, SoftBank, and BMW Group.
Immediate Impact: The Seoul Training Program
With Korea’s first open education program on Classiq, the partnership’s benefits were immediate. Sangyeonjae in Seoul Square hosted the grueling day-long session. Fifty people participated. Participants included graduate students, industry workers, professors, and research institutes from the quantum community.
Classiq‘s Commercial Director for South Korea, Daniel Sung Jin Kim, led the training, which verified that there is a significant need for software-centric products. The platform’s accessibility and capacity for quick skill improvement were demonstrated by the ability of participants with different levels of experience to interact with it.
Strategic Vision for the APAC Region
The partnership is part of Classiq’s broader strategic expansion in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Classiq’s APAC Managing Director, Akira Tanaka, stated that, aside from China, Korea and Japan are two of the leading markets where quantum technology is developing quickly.
“Starting this year, we intend to greatly expand our domestic business operations and strategic partnerships through our collaboration with Sungkyunkwan University,” Tanaka said. Building on the employment of its Korea Commercial Director last year, Classiq is actively seeking quantum algorithm engineers in Korea to support this expansion.
In agreement, Director Yonuk Chong called the MoU a “turning point” for the country’s quantum aspirations. He underlined that SKKU will remain a premier center, developing the skills required to spearhead the real-world industrial use of quantum computing.
A Five-Year Roadmap for Excellence
The MoU’s timing aligns with SKKU’s significant new phase. The university has been chosen to participate in the “2026 Quantum Information Science Human Infrastructure Development Project” of the Ministry of Science and ICT. To further develop the research ecosystem, SKKU has been awarded a new five-year government-backed term.
In the upcoming five years, the Center intends to:
- Encourage a “virtuous cycle” of quantum information science research.
- Draw in and develop elite talent from both domestic and foreign sources.
- Create collaborative research education, industrial, and academic programs.
- Bolster the Korean quantum ecosystem’s overall competitiveness.
SKKU hopes to guarantee that Korean experts are not only users of quantum hardware but also developers of the upcoming generation of quantum algorithms by incorporating Classiq’s software expertise into this long-term national effort.
In conclusion
The collaboration between SKKU and Classiq Technologies is a model for how academic institutions and software inventors might work together to address the demands of the workforce of the future as quantum technology approaches industrial utility. This partnership has the potential to speed Korea’s transition into a global powerhouse in the quantum era by lowering the entry barrier using high-level languages like Qmod and offering cutting-edge optimization tools.
