ISLAMABAD, 11 MAY (DNA) — The OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) on Monday launched a five-day international training workshop on Quantum Computing and Quantum Information at its Secretariat under the theme “Advancing the OIC Quantum Frontiers”.
The workshop has been jointly organised by the OIC-COMSTECH Center for Training and Research on AI and Emerging Technologies and the COMSTECH-Huawei ICT Academy with the aim of promoting quantum literacy, technical capacity building, and scientific collaboration among researchers, students, and professionals from OIC member states.
Addressing the inaugural session, Coordinator General COMSTECH Prof Dr M. Iqbal Choudhary said the world was standing at the threshold of a new scientific and technological transformation driven by quantum science and emerging technologies. He noted that quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing were expected to revolutionise fields ranging from medicine and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, advanced materials, and energy technologies.
He stressed that developing countries must actively participate in this technological transition by strengthening human capital, research institutions, and scientific cooperation. He said COMSTECH was committed to empowering OIC member states through training programmes, research support, and capacity-building initiatives in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum sciences, and other emerging technologies.
Prof Dr Choudhary further highlighted COMSTECH’s ongoing efforts in advancing digital transformation across OIC countries, including the development of an OIC-wide AI Vision and the establishment of specialised centres for training and research in AI and emerging technologies.
Introducing the objectives of the workshop, Prof Dr Farhan Saif, Consultant (Basic Sciences) at COMSTECH, said the programme had been designed to provide foundational understanding, practical exposure, and collaborative learning opportunities in quantum computing and quantum information sciences.
He noted that quantum technologies were rapidly becoming strategically important for scientific progress, secure communication systems, climate modelling, financial technologies, and advanced research applications. President of ECO Science Foundation Prof Seyed Komail Tayebi described quantum technologies as one of the defining scientific frontiers of the coming decades.
He emphasised the importance of preparing young researchers, universities, and scientific institutions in developing countries to actively participate in emerging technological transformations. He underlined the need for regional cooperation, scientific networks, visiting fellowships, collaborative research opportunities, and knowledge-sharing platforms to strengthen scientific readiness in OIC and ECO member states.
Mr. Arslan Ahmed Khan, Senior Solutions Manager Huawei Technologies highlighted the growing role of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in modern scientific and industrial development. He said emerging digital technologies were rapidly reshaping governments, industries, and research ecosystems worldwide.
The workshop includes lectures, technical sessions, and practical demonstrations on quantum communication, quantum cryptography, quantum circuits, quantum hardware, superposition, entanglement, and post-quantum cryptography. Distinguished experts from institutions including Texas A&M University (USA), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Quaid-i-Azam University, and Huawei Technologies are participating in the programme.
The five-day workshop has brought together physical and virtual participants from more than 18 OIC member and observer states, including Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Egypt, Gambia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, and Yemen.— DNA
