Human Resources

TU Dresden: TUD-coordinated project QUARKS starts student mentoring on quantum technologies – Register now

July 30, 2025. The “QUARKS” project, funded by the federal government (BMFTR) and coordinated at TU Dresden (TUD), will launch its new mentoring program on September 25, 2025. The program brings upper secondary school students together with representatives from industry. The aim is to exchange ideas about the technological possibilities of quantum communication in a student-friendly setting. Interested parties can register now until September 10, 2025.

Students in grades 10-13 and industry representatives can get to know quantum communication, quantum computing and the practical application of this high technology together at ten events. Photo: Till Burger / TU Dresden

Beneficial and future-oriented

In the mentoring program, the participants form a tandem – linked by a common interest in quantum technology – from quantum communication to digital security. The participants discover the world of quantum computing and the fields of application of this high technology, accompanied by researchers from TUD.

Diverse program over ten months

In ten afternoon workshops between September 2025 and June 2026, the participants can expect a different focus on quantum communication in technical applications each time, including

Conducting scientific experiments
Excursions to laboratories and companies
Creative workshops on quantum communication

Application for the mentoring program:

Mail to allaboutquarks@tu-dresden.de; subject: “Tandem Mentoring Program”
Application deadline: September 10, 2025
For whom suitable: Secondary school students (grades 10-13) with an interest in the future of communications technology
Time period: 25. September to June 2026
Programme: ten events with workshops, experiments and excursions

Background: Joint project “QUAntenkommunikation netzweRke Kompetenz für die gesellSchaft” (QUARKS)

The joint project QUARKS, coordinated at TU Dresden and managed together with TU Munich (TUM), has been dedicated to quantum communication since June 2024 and makes the application potential of this high technology for business and society tangible. To this end, it is being funded by the BMFTR with 4.47 million euros as part of the Quantum Active measure. In addition to providing the public with easy-to-understand access, QUARKS also includes modules for skilled workers and students in Dresden and Munich as science locations for quantum communication networks. The aim is to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in the field of quantum communication.

The new mentoring program aims to bring quantum communication closer to schools and industry. At the same time, the project ensures the expansion of participatory research into quantum computers and a 5G quantum network on campus.