Year of Quantum 2025: Kickstart towards a Quantum-Literate Society

In the year 2025, we celebrate the centenary of formal quantum theory, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared this year the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Fittingly, this year’s was awarded to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis for their discovery of macroscopic quantum tunnelling and energy quantization in an electric circuit, demonstrating bridging between the quantum and classical worlds.

The year 2025 has also marked a significant step forward in the organization of the field of quantum science and technology in Finland. This work is largely led by the , that expanded to comprise nine key Finnish institutions in the field this autumn. 

InstituteQ brings together the national expertise and resources in quantum research, education, innovations, and infrastructures, to raise the readiness of Finnish society for the disruptive potential and implications quantum technologies will have for society and the economy at large. 

This is concretized by the critical role the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment gave to InstituteQ in the execution of the , which was published this year. As a founding member of InstituteQ, the University of Helsinki has taken lead in advancing the national quantum physics education efforts as well as international educational collaboration. These activities are carried out by the education and talent development branch of InstituteQ, . 

Last spring, InstituteQ released a report commissioned by EduQ outlining a of the Finnish quantum workforce. This report unveils the anticipated growth of the workforce by nearly 3,000 new jobs over the coming decade. 

“As a society, we need to prepare for the future workforce needs, and be ready to answer to new educational demands,” , the EduQ operations lead, comments on the findings of the report. 

“Beyond higher education, we need to engage society at large, reaching out to various stakeholders from policymakers to developers and end users”, he adds.

Based on this report, the work of EduQ focuses on two main target areas: one on higher education and the other on wider education and public outreach, which are central in building a quantum-ready workforce and developing a quantum-literate society. 

In the context of higher education, EduQ aims to provide the best possible education to prospective experts and researchers in the field of quantum science and technology. By building on existing educational programs, the aim is to extend the study offerings through cooperation between faculties and third parties. The goal is to open new cross-institutional study opportunities, enhance mobility between institutions, and gather internship and thesis positions in one easily accessible platform. 

At the same time, the (QDOC), coordinated by InstituteQ as part of the Finnish Quantum Flagship, is training the next generation of quantum experts. 

For reaching out to the various stakeholders facing the quantum future, EduQ is working on organizing open-access training programs to educators and public sector personnel, as well as the promotion of public awareness campaigns about quantum science and technology. 

“Preparing Finnish society for the quantum future is important both from economic and human perspectives. In this effort, high-quality education provided by experts in the field is crucial,” the vice rector of the University of Helsinki and InstituteQ leadership committee member says. 

“Our message to policymakers is that investments in quantum physics education will yield returns in both economic growth and overall wellbeing when we work together to build a quantum-literate Finland.”