Provost Joins Governor to Elevate the ‘Capital of Quantum’ Abroad

University of Maryland Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice joined Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to promote economic growth, workforce development and the future of quantum in the state of Maryland during a weeklong trip to Japan and Korea.

In celebration of World Quantum Day (April 14), Rice joined Moore in Tokyo for a discussion on strengthening collaboration in the growing quantum industry. The roundtable included Japanese government and quantum industry officials; Peter Chapman, executive chair of College Park-based IonQ; and Masashi Hirose, chief executive officer of NanoQT, Japan’s only quantum hardware company. NanoQT opened a new office in March in UMD’s Discovery District to strengthen its research and development capabilities and accelerate its commercialization efforts in the U.S.

Maryland’s $1 billion Capital of Quantum Initiative aims to build on UMD’s expertise in physics, engineering and other aspects of quantum research to expand the industry and boost the state’s economy while addressing global issues.

Rice, along with the rest of the Maryland delegation, also met with officials from the U.S. Commercial Services; Japan External Trade Organization; Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry; Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency and others.