Prof. Wojciech Bożejko from the Department of Control Systems and Mechatronics at our Faculty appeared at the gala summarising this year's 9th edition of the project Wrocław Codes 2.0 - League of Extraordinary Minds. Our scientist delivered a lecture on the Odra 5 quantum computer purchased by Wrocław University of Science and Technology.

Wrocław Codes 2.0 is a municipal programme for developing programming skills among secondary and primary school students, with WUST as a partner from the very beginning. The project, continuously run since 2016, develops with each school year. New schools and students appear in it. The recently concluded ninth edition attracted more than 5,000 students.

The gala summarising this year's edition of the project took place on 10th June in the main auditorium hall of our university. The event was attended by students and teachers involved in the project, as well as by parents, officials, and others who value the digital skills of young people.

During the ceremony, awards and distinctions were presented for individual achievements and school projects They were "Crystal Keyboards" – special recognitions from the Extraordinary Minds League Foundation and certificates for participants who passed exams in languages: Python, C++, SQL.

There were also lectures. One of them – about the Odra 5 quantum computer, purchased by WUST – was delivered by Prof. Wojciech Bożejko from the Department of Control Systems and Mechatronics at our Faculty.

Precursor of a revolution?

At the end of May, the first low-temperature superconducting qubit quantum computer in Poland, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe, was launched at our university. While a bit has a value of 0 or 1, a qubit can exist in a superposition of both states simultaneously.

– In our computer, qubits are represented by small electrical loops in which current flows without resistance, and this requires very low temperatures. One can imagine it as an analogy to spinning a coin, which is simultaneously heads and tails – explained Prof. Wojciech Bożejko during the lecture.

The five-qubit machine, named Odra 5, was developed and delivered by IQM Quantum Computers, a global leader in the field of superconducting quantum computers.

– If anyone ever had in their family someone who worked at Elwro, they'll know what it's about, because computers called Odra were produced in Wrocław. Model 1305 is the most popular one. Our computer is called Odra 5, because it has 5 qubits, but there are plans for next models to appear – emphasised our scientist.

The quantum computer of Wrocław University of Science and Technology has been installed at the Wrocław Centre for Networking and Supercomputing and will allow research primarily in the field of computer science.

– I feel I can responsibly say that if someone really wants to, there are truly plenty of activities in which you can directly rely on this computer. We have a newly established Qubit Student Research Club at the Faculty. Already from their first year of studies, our students will have access to this machine. I hope this is a precursor to a future revolution – said the professor.