UCF Doctoral Student Wins 2nd Place in Global Quantum Computing Hackathon

A future quantum internet could allow quantum computers to share information securely across cities and countries. But implementing this type of network presents a major challenge — quantum information is very fragile and can’t be copied or amplified like conventional digital information, making it difficult to transmit reliably over long distances . UCF electrical engineering doctoral student Md. Sakibul Islam has developed an award-winning solution to overcome this challenge. His framework, which identifies the most reliable and efficient routes for transmitting quantum information across a network, took second place at the Florida International University node of the Qollab X IonQ Hackathon 2026. This global competition encourages students and professionals to compete for cash prizes and quantum compute credits. This project builds off of Islam’s research in the Quantum Devices Lab (Q-Lab), led by Assistant Professor Wayesh Qarony. “In the Q-Lab, we are investigating how quantum inf