The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), through its Research Center for Quantum Physics, successfully organized a workshop on quantum computing and simulation from December 6 to 8 2023. This workshop was organized jointly with the Department of Physics, University of Indonesia (UI), and sponsored by the Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics (APCTP). The Center for Theoretical Physics of Complex Systems (PCS) at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Korea, supported the workshop by sending one of its leading researchers as the invited speaker. The workshop also obtained support from the SpinQ Technology Corporation, which lent its portable quantum computer showcased at the event (Fig. 6).

More than 80 participants registered for this event, and more than 70 of them consistently listened to all the talks every day (see Fig. 6). Several international researchers in quantum information and quantum technologies were invited: Leong-Chuan Kwek from the National University of Singapore (NUS) with a presentation titled, “NISQ Era: Challenges and Alternatives”; Rangga P. Budoyo from NUS (“Development of superconducting quantum technologies”); Dominik Šafránek from PCS-IBS (“Entanglement and its applications in quantum computing”), and Hongyang Zou from SpinQ (“Introduction to superconducting quantum computer and NMR quantum computer”). The workshop also involves local speakers such as Muhammad Aziz Majidi from UI (“Tight-binding Hamiltonians and quantum computing”), Agung Budiyono from BRIN (“Nonclassical aspects of quantum mechanics as resources in quantum technology”), and Muhammad Yusrul Hanna, who gave some hands-on sessions on Qiskit and Pennylane programming (see Fig. 7). It is interesting to note that some cats (fortunately, not the Schrödinger’s Cats) sneak into the workshop room, but it is guaranteed that no cats were harmed during the workshop (Fig. 8).

One of the purposes of the workshop is to build local expertise and a talent pipeline by encouraging students and young researchers to pursue quantum science and technology. Therefore, it is necessary to provide some informal settings of the workshop to catalyze fluid conversations and fruitful discussions between the participants. A unique feature of this workshop is a total of 2 h of time allocated for a coffee break and lunch break every day. With such quite long hours of free time, participants can blend each other, obtain beneficial insights from the experienced, and discuss necessary actions to catalyze quantum computing research, especially in Indonesia. Laughter and excitement can be heard and seen during the conversations (see Fig. 9).

Both during the question–answer session in each talk and during the informal conversation in the workshop, we could see that many participants engaged in various discussions exploring different aspects of quantum computing and simulation. The discussions cover fundamental principles (especially during the talks from Prof. Kwek, Dr. Agung, Dr. Majidi, and Dr. Šafránek), potential applications in industries (Dr. Budoyo and Dr. Zou), and quantum computing influence on shaping our technological future. It is really hoped that the exchange of ideas and the collaborative atmosphere fostered during this gathering will undoubtedly contribute to the progress and improvement of quantum research in Indonesia, which just began its “official” journey in this field since the establishment of the BRIN Research Center for Quantum Physics in 2022.

The workshop also became complete with the presence of SpinQ representatives who generously brought a portable quantum computer sample to Indonesia. Most of the participants, especially young students who had never seen a quantum computer in their life before, were very excited when the SpinQ company persons revealed their two-qubit NMR-based quantum computer (see bottom-left of Fig. 9). Although the number of qubits is very small and of limited use for real quantum computing, the SpinQ portable quantum computer is already useful as a tool of demonstration and education. Indeed, only after attending this workshop, some of the participants commented that they finally believed quantum computers could exist.

It is hoped that such an event will not stop just because of following the quantum hype in the world. Indonesia, with the support of APCTP and collaboration with neighboring countries, should position itself as a potential country in the development of quantum science and technology. The human resources, particularly of young age, are large and need to be encouraged to join the quantum workforce. This workshop is really one of the first crucial steps, and we would like to see its outcomes in the near future becoming the leader of the country in the quantum research fields. Who knows, among the students photographed in Fig. 10, there could be one of them win a Nobel Prize in Physics in the future due to his/her contribution to quantum science and technology.