Latest news with #LethbridgePolytechnic
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Quantum Super Hub: Meet the ChatGPT of quantum computing unveiled in Canada
In a bold step toward making quantum computing accessible enough to solve everyday problems, the Canadian city of Lethbridge has launched a first-of-its-kind community-based Quantum Super Hub. This new facility is being hailed as the 'ChatGPT of quantum computing'. Similar to how ChatGPT made AI easy to use, the new hub brings the power of quantum computing and other high-powered tools like AI and GPUs within reach of local businesses, students, and researchers. "By anchoring Canada's first Super Hub at Tecconnect, we're giving local innovators the tools to solve global problems—from agri-tech to logistics—with computing power once thought to be years away," said Renae Barlow, vice president of Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL), a not-for-profit organization involved in the development of Quantum Super Hub,. The main highlight of the quantum super hub is that anyone can describe a problem in plain language, and the system automatically decides whether to solve it using quantum computing, AI, or traditional supercomputers. 'The whole value proposition for the super platform is that it leverages a combination of classical and quantum hardware. It uses Nvidia GPUs, it uses quantum parts, it uses gate-based quantum machines, it uses classical CPUs, and GPUs. It figures out how to best solve the problem using a combination of these architectures," said Muhammad Khan, CEO of SuperQ Quantum Computing, the company that developed the hub. The development is being seen as a major leap as quantum computers, while powerful, have traditionally been out of reach for most people and companies. This is because they require expensive lab setups, highly trained quantum scientists, and complex programming skills. What the Super Quantum Hub does differently is simplify the user experience while intelligently picking the right computing strategy—sometimes quantum, sometimes classical, often both. It's this combination that makes it powerful and accessible. On top of the tech, a formidable support system has been put in place to help users. According to the SuperQ team, local businesses can get help at every step—from identifying key problems to testing solutions and receiving training. Moreover, workshops, pilot programs, and various other opportunities from the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Polytechnic are being offered to make sure people, researchers, and businesses benefit from the hub. "There are going to be students coming from the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Polytechnic who are going to have the opportunity to immerse a little further in these technologies, and also, there's new initiatives propping up as we move forward. Even the access for researchers is a very exciting proposition with the hub being open now," Eyren Uggenti, who leads professional services at SuperQ, added. The implications of this new hub are huge. Until now, quantum computing has been a distant dream for most industries. With this new model, companies in fields like precision agriculture, agri-tech, logistics, manufacturing, and finance can actually use quantum-level power to solve problems that are too complex or time-consuming. For instance, they can model climate risk in real time, simulate complex supply chains, or optimize energy use in manufacturing processes. Additionally, quantum hardware remains expensive and specialized. This is why the new hybrid model, where quantum is used only when needed, proves important. It allows industries to start benefiting from quantum power today without waiting for the technology to fully mature. Looking ahead, if the Lethbridge Super Quantum Hub proves successful, SuperQ plans to expand, with the next hub expected to open in the United Arab Emirates. The hope is that this model will unlock access to quantum computing worldwide.
Global News
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Global News
Southern Alberta students prepare for the future
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Gathering at Lethbridge Polytechnic, students from across southern Alberta built wind-powered cars during a fun engineering day away from the classroom. 'The Wind Rally was really supposed to focus on core competencies in the trades,' said Peter Gallagher with the Southern Alberta Collegiate Institute. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The aim of the day was for students to sample various roles to learn what they enjoy doing and what they don't. As explained in the video above, students found fun in accounting, building and more.
Global News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Lethbridge Polytechnic celebrates 1st convocation since rebrand
As hats flew into the air and cheers echoed in the room, the next generation of graduates made history as the first class of Lethbridge Polytechnic. Formerly Lethbridge College, the institution rebranded in 2024 to showcase the programs on offer. 'I think it means that we're differentiating ourselves a little bit from out past. We're proud of our past being a community college, but we've evolved since and the polytechnic reflects what we do,' said Marco Hilgersom, registrar at Lethbridge Polytechnic. 2:01 Lethbridge College to become polytechnic institution Those graduating couldn't help but smile when awarded with their first-of-a-kind diplomas. Story continues below advertisement 'It's a cool opportunity to be the first convocation class of Lethbridge Polytechnic. I know the polytechnic has a long standing place here in southern Alberta,' said Governor General's Academic Award recipient, Jaydon Haustein. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He, along with valedictorian Abigayle Terrill, led the way academically this year. Both stand-out students are graduates of the agriculture sciences program. 'It's a very, almost unique circumstance, to have both the valedictorian and the Governor General's Award recipient out of the exact same program,' Haustein said. 'I think that's a great sign for agriculture, I think that means students and especially ag students, are really taking their role seriously.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think that's a great sign for agriculture, I think that means students and especially ag students, are really taking their role seriously." Haustein says the days of taking over the family farm straight out of high school are over and higher education is a must. 'By taking our education seriously and trying our best and excelling and really putting our minds towards 'Okay, how do we make ourselves more efficient or more profitable or use better economic practices and ecological practices, socially acceptable practices?' It's really important,' he said. 'There cannot be an uneducated farmer anymore and still make a profit.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There cannot be an uneducated farmer anymore and still make a profit." The efforts of these two and the entire graduating class is something the Polytechnic says is encouraging for the future. Story continues below advertisement 'It's an exciting time for Lethbridge because I think we're on the cusp of something,' said Hilgersom.
Hamilton Spectator
05-05-2025
- Science
- Hamilton Spectator
Hack-and-Seek challenges city students to think virtually
For the second year, Lethbridge Polytechnic will be hosting Hack-and-Seek, a beat-the-clock virtual reality (VR) event for high school students. Hack-and-seek participants will be working in teams of three to create a VR experience from scratch in three days. About 68 students will be participating in this challenge at three locations-Lethbridge Polytechnic, SAIT and NAIT, with the polytechnic hosting 20 of the participants. This will be Cooper Horne's second crack at this event, after placing second last year. He says he was a little nervous coming into this, but came out with new friendships formed. 'Last year I was a little bit nervous because I didn't know how good I was going to be compared to everyone else, but it was a lot less about comparison and more talking to everyone and seeing what was out there and what everyone came up with.' Horne is one of six returning participants, something Anamaria Turk, applied research operations officer for Spatial Technology and Applied Research and Training (START), says is very exciting to see. 'It's really nice to see that they've really got something out of the event and they really want to come back and go back at it again.' Turk says while this experience will give them hands-on experience and a project to show for it afterwards, it's also teaching them skills such as teamwork, which are equally important. She adds that the kids won't know their teammates until the event and they work as a team throughout the event. The final results of Hack-and-Seek will be filmed on Sunday and posted to the Lethbridge Polytechnic's YouTube channel.
Global News
01-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Lethbridge Polytechnic researchers aim to reduce food waste
Six years ago, extreme weather, international market closures and skyrocketing expenses left Alberta farmers reeling from significant losses. 'In 2019, we had a very bad year and we all know it,' said Chandra Singh, a research chair with Lethbridge Polytechnic. 'Total losses of all the crops in Alberta alone were about $750 million.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Total losses of all the crops in Alberta alone were about $750 million." He and his team began working to find solutions to very real problems in the agriculture industry. 'We are focusing on three major crops which are prominent in Alberta. All the grain crops here, potato is another main crop — particularly in southern Alberta — and sugar beets are another crop. We are focusing on all three crops on the storage, handling, some of the processing and the quality aspect,' he said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy While storage might appear as simple as dumping crops in a container, Singh says that mindset is exactly what's causing one-fifth of all Canadian-produced food to go to waste. Story continues below advertisement 'We are working on different sensing technologies for monitoring with our industrial partners. They will improve the monitoring, then (be able to) make better decisions. Also, the automation side, so creating better storage environments,' Singh said. 'For example, in grain bins you want to first dry the grain, then cool it, then monitor and keep it for as long as you need it to be there.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "For example, in grain bins you want to first dry the grain, then cool it, then monitor and keep it for as long as you need it to be there." He says some of these solutions could save $75 million every year. 'I'm not saying that you cannot do more, but being realistic, I think that's what the impact should be,' said Singh. It may not seem like it, but finding food efficiencies is crucial for everything from better beer to tastier tomatoes. 'There are so many aspects. There's the soil health, there's the plant health, then there's the agronomy side of things. We work a lot on the seeding rates and dates and all sorts of things,' said Mike Gretzinger, manager of the agronomy program at Farming Smarter. 'Almost any factor that you can think of is going to have an impact on the end result.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Almost any factor that you can think of is going to have an impact on the end result." He says research conducted by his organization ensures farmers are better prepared in the event of a 2019 repeat. Story continues below advertisement 'We can test out things so 500,000 other individual farmers don't have to fail at something. We can test it out and fail at it and give a consensus over what we should be doing instead.'
