ALMATY – The Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) launched the Kazakh-Singaporean Center for Quantum Technologies, located within the Farabi Hub Center for Innovative Products and High-Tech Projects on Feb. 16. The new facility is aimed to become the cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s emerging national quantum ecosystem.
The Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) officially launched the Kazakh-Singaporean Center for Quantum Technologies. Photo credit: Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
The center’s primary mission is to conduct fundamental and applied research, train a new generation of specialists including researchers, engineers, and tech entrepreneurs, developing quantum-secured communication and computing solutions.
The project is a collaborative effort between KazNU and its technological partners such as Singapore’s ASTRASEC and Kazakhstan’s Qubitera, reported the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
A leap into the quantum revolution
The first phase of the project was the launch of a dedicated laboratory for quantum cryptography and quantum communications. Equipped with photonic systems and experimental infrastructure, the lab will serve as a hub for both high-level scientific inquiry and practical hands-on training for students.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek emphasized the global shift toward quantum science.
“Today, the world is on the verge of a quantum revolution. Its significance lies in the fact that the potential of modern digital, communication, and computing systems based on traditional silicon technologies has reached its peak,” he said.
Strategic synergy
KazNU Rector Zhanseit Tuimebayev highlighted the center’s role in the university’s broader strategy to transform into a world-class research institution.
“The creation of a new center is an important step in implementing the strategy of transforming KazNU into a world-class research university. We are combining our strong academic potential with the advanced expertise of our Singaporean partners to create future technologies,” he said.
The international partnership is a key component of the project. Zhang Yinghua, chairman of the board of ASTRASEC, noted that developing quantum research is a strategic necessity for national security.
“Countries that have their own next-generation quantum technologies have a decisive advantage in the field of information security. Quantum communication is becoming a key priority today: it will ensure the digital resilience of a country and provide access to the most promising technologies of the future,” he said.
