India’s first quantum computer on university campus goes live in capital

Bengaluru: Marking a transformative milestone in India’s deep-tech education ecosystem, Alliance University inaugurated AU-QUASAR (Alliance University – Quantum AI School for Advanced Research) at Electronics City, Bengaluru, becoming the first private university in India to install, commission and operate a quantum computer on its campus.

The state-of-the-art facility houses an 8-qubit QVidya quantum computing system, designed and built in India by Bengaluru-based QpiAI. Unlike cloud-based quantum simulators, the quantum computer is physically installed on campus, enabling students, researchers, startups, and industry collaborators to directly access and work with quantum hardware.

The AU-QUASAR campus was inaugurated by Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-founder of Infosys, in the presence of Shri Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman, KEONICS and Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, as Guest of Honour. The dignitaries also inaugurated the Quantum Computing Centre powered by QpiAI and the Artificial Intelligence Lab accelerated by NVIDIA DGX servers.

Calling the initiative a defining moment for India’s technology landscape, Kris Gopalakrishnan said, “India today possesses the talent, research capability and entrepreneurial spirit to become a global leader in emerging technologies. Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing will shape the next industrial revolution, and institutions like Alliance University are creating the ecosystem required to nurture future innovators, researchers and technology entrepreneurs.”

Highlighting the University’s vision, Abhay G. Chebbi, Pro-Chancellor, Alliance University, said, “The future belongs to institutions that create technology rather than merely consume it. By bringing a working quantum computer to our campus, we are giving students the opportunity to experiment, innovate and solve real-world problems using frontier technologies. AU-QUASAR reflects our commitment to building India’s next generation of deep-tech leaders.”

Describing the significance of the installation, Dr. Nagendra Nagaraja, Founder and CEO, QpiAI, said, “This is the first private institution in India where a quantum computer has been physically installed and commissioned. Students will learn on actual quantum hardware rather than simulations, creating a new benchmark for quantum education in the country.”

Speaking at the inauguration, Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda noted that Karnataka continues to strengthen its position as India’s technology capital by fostering collaboration between academia, government and industry. “Specialised education in frontier technologies such as Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence will prepare young innovators to contribute meaningfully to India’s knowledge economy and global competitiveness,” he said.

Vice-Chancellor Dr. B. Priestly Shan said the University’s academic vision is to ensure students remain at the forefront of rapidly evolving technologies. “Technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, and universities must evolve even faster. AU-QUASAR has been established to create an interdisciplinary ecosystem where education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship work together to address tomorrow’s challenges.”