On April 27, Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with IBM Thailand Co., Ltd., on academic cooperation in quantum technologies. The MOU was signed by Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, and Mr. Anothai Wettayakorn, Managing Director of IBM Thailand at Siam Quantum Square (SQ²), the university’s quantum research and innovation center launched in January 2026.
The MOU aims to enhance Thailand’s capabilities in advanced science and technology by providing Thai students, researchers, and developers access to IBM’s quantum ecosystem. According to Singapore-based IBM Quantum Business Development Executive Julian Tan on his LinkedIn, the agreement gives Chulalongkorn University access to IBM’s quantum computers via the IBM–NUS Quantum Innovation Center in Singapore, with “the aim of accelerating quantum readiness through practical capability building, applied research, and real‑world impact across sectors such as healthcare, finance, energy, and cybersecurity”.
At the signing, Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat stated that quantum is no longer a distant frontier, but is rapidly moving from research laboratories into real-world applications in finance, medicine, logistics, cybersecurity, advanced materials, and many other sectors. He added that Thailand must be one of the countries that prepares its personnel, research institutions, and industries to help shape the direction of the global economy in the next era.
Mr. Anothai Wettayakorn stated that the collaboration focuses on three main areas: developing quantum personnel through tools like Qiskit, fostering collaborative research and innovation, and building a quantum ecosystem through the SQ² center to connect the government, private sector, and educational institutions in driving the country towards a sustainable future.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Salilporn Kittiwattanakul, Head of Siam Quantum Square (SQ²) , summarized the four goals of this collaboration: developing Chulalongkorn University into a quantum excellence center in Thailand; enhancing quantum programming skills and certification pathways through Qiskit; driving concrete results from projects in 2026; and elevating Thailand’s role in the regional quantum arena.
Key activities planned for 2026 include the Qiskit Global Summer School, Qiskit training in Bangkok, the Qiskit Fall Fest, participation in the IBM Quantum Summit APAC and the Quantum Developer Conference, as well as forums on quantum applications in Thailand and ASEAN.
