KU Leuven and Proximus inaugurate Proximus Chair in Quantum Science and Technology
Today, the Proximus Chair in Quantum Science and Technology was inaugurated in the University Hall of KU Leuven, in the presence of Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele. This chair highlights Proximus' commitment to contribute actively to the development of quantum technology in Belgium and to support cutting-edge research in that field.
A festive inauguration to mark KU Leuven's 600th anniversary
The Proximus Chair will focus on the experimental research and development of quantum repeaters, which are key building blocks for applications in quantum memories and quantum communication nodes. Professor Kristiaan De Greve (KU Leuven, Department of Electrical Engineering) was appointed chairholder, Professors Kristiaan Temst (KU Leuven, Department of Physics and Astronomy) and Filip Tavernier (KU Leuven, Department of Electrical Engineering) serve as co-chairholders.
The creation of this chair is part of the celebration of KU Leuven's 600th anniversary in 2025 – an occasion marked by a festive inauguration attended by Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele and Rector Luc Sels. The four-year agreement was officially signed by Stefaan De Clerck, Chair of the Proximus Board of Directors, and chairholder Professor De Greve.
Proximus, a pioneer in Belgium's quantum technology sector
Quantum technology and quantum communication are set to revolutionize digital interactions in the future by enabling unprecedented levels of security, speed and computing power. Quantum computers will solve complex problems far more efficiently than today's most powerful supercomputers, enabling breakthroughs in areas such as drug development, materials science and climate change research.
Meanwhile, quantum communication will ensure ultra-secure data transmission using quantum properties to generate unbreakable encryption keys. These advances will contribute to the creation of a "quantum network", allowing the secure sharing of information over long distances. As these technologies evolve, they promise to transform a wide range of industries, from healthcare to finance, and reshape our digital landscape with new applications and the highest possible level of security.
Proximus is at the forefront of quantum technology in Belgium. In 2023, the company demonstrated the country's first hybrid quantum connection, using quantum key distribution (QKD) – a major milestone toward secure digital communications. In addition, Proximus is one of the driving forces behind the Quantum Circle initiative, which promotes cooperation among the major players in quantum computing, communications and sensing. This initiative plays a crucial role in accelerating market adoption and positioning Belgium as one of the front-runners in the field of this emerging technology.
The creation of the Proximus Chair in Quantum Science and Technology highlights our ambition to be a leader in quantum technology in Belgium. Our partnership with KU Leuven should facilitate groundbreaking progress in a field critical to securing digital communications in the future.
It is an honor to lead this chair together with my colleagues Professors Temst and Tavernier and to contribute to the advancement of research on quantum memories and quantum communication nodes in Flanders. When I graduated as an engineering student from KU Leuven 20 years ago, this kind of research was only available in a handful of universities in the U.S. Even at Stanford, this research was still in its early stages. Quantum technology has been steadily advancing ever since, and I am very happy that we in Flanders can now join in the fray. I'm therefore particularly thrilled to benefit from Proximus' support to further explore the vast possibilities of quantum technology together with my colleagues at KU Leuven.
This chair illustrates how collaboration between companies and universities can create new opportunities. Quantum communication is a complex but promising domain, and it is precisely thanks to these initiatives that Flanders can continue to play a pioneering role in technology and digitalization. This aligns well with the ambition of the Flemish Government to strengthen our economy in the long term through innovation, so that future generations can continue to build on strong Flemish prosperity.
The collaboration between Proximus and KU Leuven gives a boost to fundamental scientific research. It helps to make our country a leader in the field of quantum technology and quantum communication. In the coming years, thanks to this collaboration, more research and innovation will take place in this domain.
