The University of Pretoria (UP) announced on March 17, 2026, that it had been selected to host a new node of the South African Quantum Technology Initiative (SA QuTI). The node, designated UPQust (pronounced “UPQuest”), became the sixth national SA QuTI node and will receive five years of funding from the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Research areas at UPQust include quantum computing, ultra-sensitive measurement systems, and quantum-based sensing techniques, with applications ranging from agriculture and mining to cybersecurity and fraud detection. The initiative draws on expertise from multiple UP faculties and departments, including Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science.
Professor Tjaart Kruger of UP’s Department of Physics, who will lead the node, said the aim was to build “a sustainable ecosystem” through student training, infrastructure development, and industry partnerships. He added that links with international projects, including work connected to CERN, would expose South African researchers to global science networks. Beyond research outputs, the node is expected to develop new curricula in quantum computing and metrology.