Activities
MIQT Seminar Series
The Melbourne Initiative for Quantum Technology (MIQT) Seminar Series is a monthly event designed to showcase the breadth and depth of quantum research across the University of Melbourne.
Each seminar features two researchers from different schools or faculties presenting their work in accessible 30-minute talks, aimed at a broad scientific audience. The goal is to foster dialogue, spark new ideas, and build connections across disciplines within the university.
Following the talks, a light lunch provides an informal setting for participants to mingle, ask questions, and explore potential collaborations. The series was established in 2024 by Professor Stephan Rachel and has been coordinated by Dr Alexander Wood since 2025.
MIQT Quantum Science Prize
The MIQT Quantum Science Prize celebrates excellence in cross-disciplinary quantum research by graduate students at the University of Melbourne. Quantum science spans a wide range of fields—from physics and chemistry to engineering, computer science, and information theory—yet students often work within narrowly defined academic boundaries.
This annual prize, supported by the Laby Foundation, aims to encourage collaboration across disciplines and foster a more integrated quantum research community. Open to PhD and MSc students working on quantum-relevant topics, the prize invites participants to submit a poster or deliver a short talk at the MIQT Annual Showcase. Winners, selected by a panel of reviewers, receive a cash award, a certificate, and a trophy, along with increased visibility and valuable networking opportunities within the broader MIQT community.
The next prize will be awarded at the MIQT Quantum Retreat 2025.
Previous winners
| Year | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Themba Hodge (School of Physics, Faculty of Science) Zijia Zhao (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology) |
MIQT Quantum Retreat
The MIQT Quantum Retreat is a one-day event which aims to bring together the community of quantum-interested researchers at the University of Melbourne.
MIQT Quantum Retreat in October 2025
Date and time: 30 October 2025 from 9:30am to 4:00pm
Location: Hercus Theatre, Parkville Campus
Tentative Schedule:
- 09:30-09:35 Welcome (Chair of MIQT)
- 09:35-10:05 "From Photons to Proteins: Quantum Spectroscopy in Biotechnology" by Liz Hinde (School of Physics and QUBIC)
- 10:05-10:35 "Making Quantum Computers useful" by Martin Sevior (School of Physics)
- 10:35-11:00 Tea Break
- 11:00-11:15 Joe Dodd (Quantum Australia)
- 11:15-11:45 Updates from MIQT + Questions + Discussions (facilitated by Chair of MIQT)
- 11:45-13:00: Photo + Lunch (catered)
- 13:00-13:45: MIQT Annual Showcase (Poster Session)
- 13:45-14:00: "Generative AI and Digital Twins in Precision Medicine" by Michael Menden (Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology)
- 14:00-14:30: Tea break
- 14:30-14:45: "Typical Quantum Information Properties and Random Matrix Theory" by Mario Kieburg (School of Mathematics and Statistics)
- 14:45-15:00: Quantum Science Prize Award ceremony/final remarks
Registration (now closed)
- Quantum Retreat (deadline: 24/10/2025 11:59pm)
- MIQT Annual Showcase (deadline: 21/10/2025 11:59pm)
Students (MSc and PhD) have the opportunity to win the MIQT Quantum Science Prize. See details below.
MIQT Science Prize 2025
As part of the event, we invite PhD and Masters students at the University of Melbourne working on quantum-related topics to participate in our MIQT Annual Showcase, which is a poster competition. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to not only showcase their research to a broad academic community, but also gain visibility across disciplines.
Prizes: Two awards of $500 each will be given for outstanding posters.
Poster Format: A0 sized poster presented at the showcase. Students are responsible for printing their posters and displaying them at the venue.
Eligibility: Open to PhD and Masters students at the University of Melbourne working on quantum-related research.
Expression of Interest: Students should fill the expression of Interest form https://go.unimelb.edu.au/k8qp by 11:59pm, October 21, Friday.
As part of the evaluation, supervisors are requested to submit their endorsements to nitin.yadav@unimelb.edu.au by Friday, October 24. Submissions will be assessed by a panel of academic reviewers from diverse fields.