Exploring the Quantum Frontier at Quantum Computing Conclave
By IEEE Computer Society Team on
On February 20th and 21st, 2026, the Sardar Patel Institute of Technology (S.P.I.T.) in Mumbai became a hub for the "Second Quantum Revolution." Supported by funding from the IEEE Computer Society’s Broadening Participation Fund, the institute hosted a two-day national-level Quantum Computing Conclave. With the theme "Connect, Collaborate and Explore the Quantum Frontier," the event served as a multidisciplinary platform to deliberate on India’s growing role in the global quantum ecosystem.
A Hub of Innovation and Expertise
The conclave was held at S.P.I.T.’s 47-acre green campus in Andheri (W). It brought together a distinguished lineup of speakers from premier organizations like CDAC, IIT Bombay, and IISER Pune. The event kicked off with a grand inauguration featuring Chief Guest Dr. Ravindra Barlingay (CEO, IITM C-DOT Samgnya) and Mr. Eric Berkowitz (Director of Membership, IEEE Computer Society), who traveled from global headquarters to support the initiative.
Technical Rigor and the National Roadmap
The sessions were designed to bridge the gap between theoretical physics and practical implementation. On Day 1, Dr. Barlingay provided a roadmap for India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM), detailing the "Quantum Super Highway"—a secure communication network intended to connect India’s major research hubs. Dr. Pramod Bide (S.P.I.T. Convener) grounded the audience in foundations like superposition and entanglement, while Dr. Veeresh Deshpande (IIT Bombay) explored the hardware layer, specifically the peripheral electronics and cryogenic systems necessary for scaling qubits.
Day 2 shifted toward computational frameworks. Dr. Amit Saxena from C-DAC discussed hybrid HPC-Quantum architectures, and Dr. Sourav Dutta (TIFR) delved into experimental platforms like trapped ions. The conclave also addressed a critical human element: education. Dr. Sai Vinjanampathy (IIT Bombay) led a session on how to teach quantum information science in the Indian context, cautioning against oversimplification and stressing the need for strong mathematical foundations.
The People Behind the Success
An event of this scale relies heavily on the dedication of student leaders and volunteers. The smooth flow of the proceedings was managed by core committee members of the IEEE CS S.P.I.T. Student Branch, including anchors Komal Jadhav, Rutuja Gujar, Het Salot, and Secretary Garima Gayakwad. The organizing team, supported by faculty members like Prof. Govind Gaundalkar and Dr. Sudhir Dhage, ensured that the high-impact discussions were matched by flawless logistics.
Organizing Team
- Dr. Prashant Kasambe
- Dr. Suhas Kakde
- Dr. Kailas Devadkar
- Dr. Amol Deshpande
- Dr. Payal Shah
- Dr. Pranav Nerurkar
- Dr. Suraj Vishwakarma
- Mrs. Sheetal Chaudhari
- Mr. Sunil Ghane
- Mrs. Aparna Halbe
- Mr. Govind Gaundalkar
- Miss. Sneha Talreja
Impact and Future Outlook
The impact of the conclave was reflected in the enthusiastic feedback from 30 diverse participants, including faculty and students from institutions like Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) and Vishwakarma Institute of Technology (VIT Pune). Approximately 83.3% of respondents gave the event a perfect 5-star rating, citing the "depth of knowledge" and "industry-academia interaction" as major highlights. Most importantly, 40% of attendees strongly agreed that S.P.I.T. should introduce structured electives in quantum computing, signaling a direct shift toward a future-ready curriculum.
As the National Anthem marked the end of the conclave, it was clear that the event had achieved its goal: fostering a research-oriented ecosystem that will empower the next generation of Indian engineers to lead the quantum era.
