The University of Pisa is among the founding members of the European Quantum Academy (EQA), the new European initiative launched within the framework of the Quantum Flagship to coordinate education and training in quantum technologies. Its objectives are to develop the skills needed to support the sector’s development in the coming years and to reduce the skills gap between different European regions.
The network brings together more than 70 partner institutions and over 100 affiliated organisations across Europe. The aim is to create an integrated educational ecosystem capable of supporting students, researchers, teachers and professionals throughout their learning journey — from school education to higher education, professional reskilling in industry and lifelong learning.
Funded with €19.8 million, the European Quantum Academy represents one of the pillars of the European strategy to strengthen continental leadership in quantum technologies, a sector expected to have a growing impact on industry, society and the labour market.
“Within the project,” explains Alessandro Tredicucci of the University of Pisa, “our University will contribute in particular to the development of innovative methodologies and content for teaching quantum science and technologies, with specific attention to the quality of education and the dissemination of skills beyond fields traditionally linked to physics.”
“We will contribute to innovating teaching by updating educational resources in line with the latest developments in quantum physics and technologies, both for Physics and STEM degree programmes,” explains Marilù Chiofalo of the University of Pisa. “This is work we have been carrying out for the past six years in collaboration with the other partners promoting the initiative. Quantum technologies will have an increasingly significant impact on society — from medicine to communications, from energy to advanced sensors — and will require new skills to be developed from school through to university, with an ever-growing degree of interdisciplinarity. The European Quantum Academy was created precisely for this purpose: to develop innovative teaching methodologies grounded in both research and education.”
