April 8, 2025 | Brisbane & Sydney
The Swiss Quantum Initiative (SQI), in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in Australia and Swissnex, recently spearheaded a dynamic program to strengthen Swiss visibility, deepen partnerships, and engage with Australia’s rapidly evolving quantum ecosystem. In March 2025, a Swiss delegation took part in a week-long program across Brisbane and Sydney, designed to connect academia, government, and industry leaders, with a view to promoting collaboration and showcasing Swiss leadership in quantum research.
At the heart of the program was the Quantum Australia 2025 Conference, March 25–27 in Brisbane, where Andreas Masuhr, Head of SQI, delivered a keynote presentation on the Swiss quantum ecosystem. This high-profile presence on the main stage underscored Switzerland’s role as a key international stakeholder in the global quantum landscape, which was also reflected in several references to Switzerland throughout the conference’s plenary sessions.
In the framework of the International Year of Quantum 2025, Australia also played host to a meeting of the Multilateral Dialogue on Quantum (MDQ) on 27–28 March in Brisbane. Andreas Masuhr and Loïc Fave, Science Advisor in the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innonvation (SERI), represented Switzerland at the meeting, which convenes officials from 13 like-minded countries to discuss shared quantum policies, values, and goals in building a global quantum ecosystem.
In parallel to these, a networking event co-hosted by the Embassy, Swissnex, and SQI brought together 40 participants from across the policy, academic, and industrial spectrum. The event featured contributions from Loïc Fave; Marieke Hood, Executive Director of the Impact Translator at the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Accelerator (GESDA); Daniel Gschwind, Swiss Honorary Consul; and Andreas Masuhr, with moderation by Tristan Piguet, Science Counselor at the Swiss Embassy and part of the global Swissnex network. This intimate format provided fertile ground for exchanges on the future of quantum technologies and the value of international partnerships.
The delegation also co-organized a scientific workshop at the University of Queensland (UQ), highlighting Swiss academic and industrial expertise. Speakers included Philippe Caroff, Executive Director of the Center for Quantum Science and Engineering at EPFL; Marieke Hood; Meng Li, Senior Business Development Manager at Zurich Instruments; and Tristan Piguet, alongside researchers from UQ. Following the presentations, participants toured UQ’s world-class quantum laboratories, gaining a first-hand look at Australia’s research capabilities. Further engagements took place in New South Wales, with targeted visits to the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), allowing for deeper scientific exchange and the exploration of joint research opportunities.
The week concluded with a closing dinner hosted by the Embassy, gathering leading figures from Australia’s quantum ecosystem, including representatives from the University of Sydney, UNSW, University of Melbourne, University of Technology Sydney, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and Quantum Australia. This moment of reflection and networking celebrated the outcomes of the mission and laid the groundwork for future collaboration.
As the International Year of Quantum continues, Switzerland remains committed to international dialogue and collaboration. The success of this mission to Australia reaffirms the importance of connecting quantum ecosystems across borders to shape the future of this transformative technology.