Philippines hosts first Quantum Tech confab

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippines is set to host its inaugural Quantum Information, Science, and Technology Conference (QISTCon.ph 2025) from July 30 to August 1 in Cebu, signaling the country’s ambition to stake a claim in Southeast Asia’s emerging quantum technology landscape.

The three-day conference, to be held at JPark Island Resort & Waterpark, in Mactan Island, Cebu is supported by global partners under the framework of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ).

It marks a crucial step in the country’s efforts to integrate quantum science into national development and technological advancement strategies.

QISTCon.ph 2025 is organized by the Quantum Computing Society of the Philippines (QCSP), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), the Open Quantum Institute (OQI), and the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA).

More than 100 participants—including scientists, academics, industry executives, investors, and policymakers from across the Indo-Pacific—are expected to convene to explore the opportunities and challenges of quantum technologies.

The agenda includes integrating quantum science into education, developing national research capabilities, and aligning with private-sector innovation led by global tech players such as Amazon Web Services, IBM, and Microsoft.

“QISTCon.ph 2025 is a historic opportunity for the Philippines to chart its own quantum technology roadmap,” said Bobby Corpus Jr., co-founder and president of QCSP and member of the DOST-PCIEERD Quantum Technology Board.

A Cebu native, Corpus also serves as vice chair of the Bureau of Philippine Standards’ technical subcommittee on AI and quantum technologies.

The event is co-hosted by Cebu Institute of Technology–University and the University of San Carlos, with key academic collaborators from Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology.

International support is also being provided by partners from Singapore, the UK, and Germany.

Quantum computing remains in a formative stage globally but promises exponential advances over traditional computing by leveraging quantum bits—or qubits—that can exist in multiple states simultaneously. The technology has potential applications across sectors, including drug discovery, artificial intelligence, financial modeling, climate forecasting, and cybersecurity.

Organizers say the conference aims not only to showcase cutting-edge research but also to spark regional and cross-sectoral collaboration, address ethical and regulatory frameworks, and promote responsible innovation. — (FREEMAN)