NITheCS Colloquium: Charting the Future of NITheCS: Progress and Prospects in Research, Training, Engagement, and Africa

Title:  NITheCS Colloquium: Charting the Future of NITheCS: Progress and Prospects in Research, Training, Engagement, and Africa

Speaker: Prof Francesco Petruccione (NITheCS and Stellenbosch University)

Abstract:

As the newly appointed Director of the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS), I am excited to present our strategic vision and achievements in the realms of research, training, and engagement, with a particular focus on our contributions to the future of South Africa and Africa. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of our recent progress, highlight key research initiatives, and outline our ambitious plans to foster inclusive growth and excellence in the scientific community. Emphasizing the societal impact of our research, we aim to address critical challenges and drive innovation that benefits all sectors of society. Join us as we embark on this journey of transformation and innovation, committed to making a lasting impact on education, research, and societal development across the continent.

Biography:

Francesco Petruccione is a physicist and academic leader, serving as both a professor of Physics at Stellenbosch University (SU) and since May 2024 the Substantive Director of NITheCS. He pursued his undergraduate studies in physics at the University of Freiburg, Germany. Continuing the same institution, he earned his doctorate in 1988 and Habilitation degree (Dr. rer. nat. habil.) in 1994. In 2004, he was appointed a professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). A year later, he was awarded an Innovation Fund grant to establish a Centre for Quantum Technology. Prof Petruccione went on to hold the position of South African Research Chair for Quantum Information Processing and Communication Technology in 2007. In addition to his role as interim director of NITheCS, he held an adjunct professor position at the Korean Advanced Institute for Science and Technology. In 2018, he was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor of Big Data and Informatics at UKZN. Four years later, he moved to SU as a professor of Physics and Quantum Computing in the Physics Department and the School of Data Science and Computational Thinking. Prof Petruccione is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa and a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa. In 2023 he was honoured with the title of Order of the Star of Italy for his work in physics and quantum computing

A link to the announcement may be found here.