Official Launch of FreeYa Mind Campus
On March 5, 2025, the FreeYa Mind Campus was officially inaugurated at the Palace of Culture in Iași, marking a pivotal moment for Romaniaʼs advancement in quantum research, interdisciplinary education, and innovation. The event gathered distinguished representatives from IBM, academia, public administration, industry, and government, reinforcing FreeYa Mind Campusʼ mission to position the city of Iași as a national and regional hub for next-generation scientific development.
Opening & Keynote Contributions
The launch was honored by the presence of Jason Silbergleit, Vice President, IBM Quantum, whose keynote address emphasized the global importance of quantum-readiness and IBMʼs commitment to developing regional centers of excellence in education and innovation.
IBMʼs high-level delegation also included:
- Heather Higgins, Executive Partner, IBM Quantum Industry & Technical Services
- Cerasela Băiculescu, Country General Manager, IBM Romania and Moldova
- Adam Hammond, Business Leader, IBM Quantum EMEA
- Dr. Voica Rădescu, EMEA Lead & Manager, IBM Quantum Innovation Centers
- Dr. Fabio Scafirimuto, EMEA Manager, Workforce & Education, IBM Quantum
Their participation underscored IBMʼs strategic partnership with FreeYa Mind Campus and their long-term investment in regional quantum capacity building.
Panel: Research and Education Directions in the Quantum Era
Moderated by Heather Higgins, Executive Partner, IBM Quantum Industry & Technical Services, the first panel focused on the evolving role of quantum technologies in shaping the future of education, curriculum innovation, and research agendas. Esteemed panelists included:
- Prof. Univ. Dr. Simona Caraiman, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași
- Prof. Dr. Luciana Antoci, Iași County School Inspectorate
- Prof. Univ. Dr. Liviu-George Maha, Rector, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași
- Prof. Univ. Dr. Radu Iliescu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”
- Prof. Univ. Dr. Eng. Gerard Jităreanu, Rector, Ion Ionescu de la Brad University of Life Sciences
- Prof. Univ. Dr. Aurelian Bălăiță, Rector, George Enescu National University of Arts
The session provided valuable insight into institutional strategies for integrating quantum and AI into academic ecosystems and future research collaborations.
Local and National Institutional Support
The launch event was also attended by numerous representatives from local and national government, public administration, and policy-making bodies, reaffirming broad institutional support for the initiative. The participation of leaders from banking, energy, pharmaceuticals, and biotech sectors also illustrated the interest of the private sector in quantum-enabled innovation.
Technical Sessions and Collaboration Highlights
Vision and Mission of FreeYa Mind Campus
FreeYa Mind Campus was launched as Romaniaʼs first educational and innovation hub rooted in quantum technologies. It was created to serve as a platform for:
- Advanced education and talent development in quantum computing and AI
- Applied, multidisciplinary research programs
- Long-term partnerships between academia, industry, and international institutions
- Supporting Romaniaʼs contribution to the global knowledge economy
The event also marked the operational debut of the Quantum Innovation Center (QIC), which will coordinate research activities, talent programs, and strategic partnerships.
Conclusion
The inauguration of FreeYa Mind Campus marked a transformative moment for Romaniaʼs scientific and academic landscape. Through the participation of global experts, institutional leaders, and key industry figures, the event set the foundation for long-term collaboration, capacity building, and innovation leadership.
This launch is only a beginning—a starting point for the development of a vibrant, high-impact ecosystem built around quantum science, education, and future technologies.
