Quantum applied sciences are quickly advancing, attracting substantial world funding as nations recognise their potential to remodel industries and redefine safety landscapes. Pak Shen Choong from the Institute for Mathematical Research, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Nurisya Mohd Shah from the Department of Physics on the similar establishment, and Yung Szen Yap from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, examine the rising quantum ecosystem inside Southeast Asia, and particularly assess Malaysia’s place inside it. Their work arrives at an important second, coinciding with the International Year of Quantum Science and 2025, as a number of nations formulate nationwide quantum methods and discover regional collaboration. This analysis gives a significant overview of Malaysia’s quantum capabilities and proposes concrete steps to strengthen the regional ecosystem, providing priceless insights for policymakers and researchers alike as Southeast Asia prepares to take part within the second quantum revolution.
The analysis demonstrates that Southeast Asia should actively take part within the burgeoning quantum revolution, shifting past merely consuming applied sciences developed elsewhere. A collaborative strategy is required to construct indigenous capabilities, handle potential dangers, and leverage quantum technologies for regional profit, requiring a mix of scientific development, accountable innovation, and strategic diplomacy. The paper positions quantum expertise as a brand new area for worldwide competitors and cooperation, emphasizing the necessity for regional collaboration to keep away from being left behind within the world quantum race and advocating for a regional quantum community.
Quantum improvement should be coupled with cautious consideration of societal impacts, moral issues, and accountable innovation frameworks, addressing potential dangers associated to cybersecurity, financial disruption, and social inequality. The research advocates for funding in training, analysis, and improvement to construct native experience in quantum science and expertise, fostering a talented workforce and supporting native startups. It highlights the potential of quantum applied sciences to deal with key challenges associated to local weather change, healthcare, agriculture, and different Sustainable Development Goals, championing the usage of artwork and artistic approaches to have interaction the general public with quantum ideas and foster broader understanding. Malaysia is introduced as a possible chief within the regional quantum ecosystem, with current initiatives and a rising analysis base. The paper acknowledges the potential for a quantum divide and requires efforts to bridge this hole, advocating for a collaborative innovation ecosystem involving academia, trade, authorities, and the general public. This analysis is a name to motion for Southeast Asian nations to proactively form their quantum future, making certain that the advantages of this transformative expertise are shared broadly and contribute to regional prosperity and safety, emphasizing the significance of diplomacy, accountable innovation, and societal impression.
Southeast Asian Quantum Ecosystems, a Landscape Analysis
This work analyzes the rising quantum panorama in Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian area, constructing upon initiatives just like the Southeast Asia Quantum Network. The research employed a complete panorama evaluation, meticulously mapping quantum analysis strengths inside Malaysia and contextualizing them in opposition to regional developments. Researchers systematically reviewed nationwide quantum methods introduced by Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines, alongside expressions of curiosity from six different Southeast Asian nations in establishing a collaborative regional quantum ecosystem. The analysis additional included insights from regional workshops and collaborative efforts, notably the formation of the ASEAN Quantum Network, to grasp the evolving dynamics of quantum collaboration.
Researchers actively engaged with key stakeholders throughout the area, together with representatives from Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia, to assemble firsthand views on nationwide initiatives and collaborative alternatives. Furthermore, the research leveraged foresight workouts, such because the Science and Technology Foresight Malaysia 2050, to anticipate future tendencies and potential roadblocks in quantum improvement. This concerned analyzing long-term strategic plans and figuring out important areas for funding and coverage intervention. The workforce additionally examined worldwide frameworks for accountable quantum expertise to tell suggestions for strengthening the regional ecosystem and selling moral quantum improvement, enabling them to formulate 4 particular suggestions aimed toward bolstering Malaysia’s quantum capabilities and fostering larger regional collaboration.
Southeast Asia Advances Regional Quantum Ecosystems
This work particulars a complete overview of the quantum panorama in Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian area, highlighting each present progress and future alternatives. Researchers discovered that six out of 11 Southeast Asian nations have expressed curiosity in establishing a regional quantum ecosystem with shared objectives, demonstrating a rising dedication to this rising area. The research emphasizes the significance of accountable analysis and innovation, aligning with UNESCO’s Recommendation on Open Science. The analysis reveals a important have to standardize benchmarking initiatives for quantum applied sciences.
Investigations into graduate employment knowledge revealed that 38. 75% of graduates had been both working in jobs unrelated to their area of research or had been unemployed, underscoring the urgency of addressing talent gaps. Democratizing quantum training by initiatives like QWorld and collaborative efforts by the International Telecommunication Union is seen as important to enhance quantum literacy and broaden participation past physics backgrounds. Hackathons, such because the SEA Quantathon 2025 and QAI GenQ Hackathon 2025, present alternatives for interdisciplinary collaboration and the event of sensible quantum functions. Key findings: 87. The research highlights growing world funding in quantum applied sciences, with a number of Southeast Asian nations formulating nationwide quantum methods and exploring regional collaboration. Analysis reveals current strengths in quantum analysis inside Malaysia and identifies alternatives to strengthen the broader regional group. The work proposes 4 key suggestions to foster a thriving quantum ecosystem: mitigating misinformation and hype surrounding quantum applied sciences, establishing standardized metrics and benchmarks for analysis, making certain equitable entry to quantum training, and facilitating market penetration for regional quantum industries.
These suggestions stem from a scientist’s perspective and goal to information the accountable improvement and deployment of quantum applied sciences for the advantage of all. The authors acknowledge that this research primarily considers the attitude of scientists. Future work ought to embrace a scientific comparability of nationwide quantum roadmaps throughout Southeast Asian nations to additional refine methods for regional collaboration and progress.