Prof. Ahmed Younes is a Professor of Quantum Computing at Alexandria University and the founder and leader of the Alexandria Quantum Computing Group (AleQCG). He manages the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computers at Alexandria University and coordinates the Professional Master’s Program in Quantum Computing and Quantum Information. He also serves as the national coordinator of QEgypt, Egypt’s representative for World Quantum Day (WQD), and the Arab States’ representative on the UNESCO-endorsed IYQ2025 Steering Committee. Prof. Younes previously held leadership roles including Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs at the Faculty of Science and Academic Supervisor at the Faculty of Computers and Data Science. He currently directs the International Scientific Publishing Centre and was formerly an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, UK, where he earned his PhD in 2004. His research contributions include novel techniques in quantum search algorithms (Partial Diffusion Operator), amplitude amplification, and the representation of quantum Boolean circuits using Reed-Muller logic. He has published extensively in quantum algorithms, cryptography, and reversible computing.
Renowned Quantum Computing Pioneer Prof. Ahmed Younes Inspires and Shares Expertise with SheQuantum Global Community
During the summer of 1997, I was a young computer science student in Alexandria University. While I was taking a walk with my friends, I stumbled upon a scientific magazine that would change the course of my life. The article spoke of a strange new field called quantum computing—where particles could exist in multiple states at once, and calculations could happen in parallel universes. For most, this might have been an interesting diversion. But for me, it felt that it was a calling for the future.
That spark of curiosity became an obsession. By 1999, I had defied expectations that this topic is science fiction by making quantum computing the focus of my graduation thesis—one of the first in Egypt to do so.
This thesis earned me a scholarship to the University of Birmingham in the UK, where I completed my Ph.D. in 2004 under quantum pioneers Julian F. Miller and Jon E. Rowe. Returning to Egypt with a mission to cultivate quantum expertise in the region, I embedded quantum computing courses into BSc, MSc, and PhD curricula at multiple universities, then established the Alexandria Quantum Computing Group (AleQCG), a hub for cutting-edge research, followed by the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computers at Alexandria University. Recognizing the need for structured quantum education, I launched Egypt’s first Professional Master’s Program in Quantum Computing and Quantum Informatics at Alexandria University, and the MSc Program in Quantum Science and Technology at Alamein International University. Beyond academia, I co-founded QEgypt, an initiative under QWorld, to democratize quantum knowledge in Egypt.
My contribution extends to global platforms, representing Egypt in World Quantum Day (WQD) and the Arab states in the IYQ2025 Steering Committee, ensuring regional participation in the worldwide quantum dialogue. I am also deeply committed to paving the way for a quantum ecosystem in Africa and Middle East—fostering education, research, and innovation to ensure the continent is not just a spectator but an active participant in the quantum revolution.
My research focuses on quantum algorithms, circuit optimization, and quantum-enhanced machine learning. Among my favourite work are refinements to Grover’s search algorithm, where I introduced techniques like partial diffusion operators and entanglement-based amplification, significantly improving efficiency. My work on reversible and quantum circuit synthesis leverages genetic programming and quantum dot cellular automata, paving the way for scalable, hardware-efficient designs.
Beyond theory, I have developed practical solutions for Boolean satisfiability, quantum image processing, and hack-resistant cryptography, demonstrating quantum computing’s real-world potential. My team’s Javantum simulator has become a vital tool for researchers in the region.
My work in quantum machine learning accelerates data processing for healthcare and finance, while my optimization algorithms offer transformative solutions for logistics and materials science. In cybersecurity, my quantum cryptographic protocols address the urgent need for post-quantum encryption, ensuring secure communications in an era of quantum threats.
I’m fascinated by how quantum superposition, entanglement, and interference could enable solutions to NP-hard and NP-complete problems. This challenges the very foundations of computational complexity theory—while these problems were historically classified as intractable for classical systems, I wonder if quantum computing may redefine the boundaries of what we consider computationally feasible.
One of my primary concerns is the lack of standardized definitions and notations in quantum technology. I emphasize the need for interdisciplinary education, where quantum programs integrate topics from mathematics, physics, and computer science cohesively—starting from high school to PhD level. I advocate for treating quantum computing as a transdisciplinary field, designing curricula that select and redesign courses to include integrated topics from these disciplines.
I am trying to make quantum computing accessible. My YouTube courses on quantum computing in Arabic and English are breaking down complex concepts for a broader audience, ensuring that knowledge is not confined to academic circles.
My effort has earned me some accolades, including the ORS Award from Universities UK in 2001, the Alexandria University Scientific Encouragement Award in 2014, and honorary shields from institutions like Beirut Arab University, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Computers and Data Science, Alexandria University. My journey exemplifies perseverance and vision, proving that quantum computing is not just a field of study but a revolution with the power to transform societies.
For aspiring quantum scientists, my advice is clear: “Classical computers follow Moore’s Law, but quantum computing follows no conventional rules—it is limited only by the boundaries of imagination and determination”.
My final advises to the beginners in the field, every journey encounters challenges. Through perseverance, I’ve learned that no obstacle is insurmountable—where there is determination, there is always a path forward. This conviction, embodied in the timeless adage, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”, has proven true time and again in my pursuit of turning dreams into reality.
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