Photonics, nanotechnology and quantum technology are moving from the laboratory into application. What that shift means for research, for education and for the companies involved is the subject of the FONQT Symposium on Thursday 8 October 2026. This year Fontys University of Applied Sciences hosts the event, in Eindhoven.

The symposium brings together researchers, lecturers, students and industry partners from the five universities of applied sciences in the FONQT platform and from the companies and institutes they work with.

The programme includes:

Keynote by Prof. Dr Esther Alarcon Llado, head of the 3D Solar Cells Group at Amolf, on research challenges for physics in the Netherlands

Keynote by Robert van Veldhoven, NXP, on collaboration with universities of applied sciences

A poster session with lunch, showing work from students of the participating research groups

Parallel sessions on the Eindhoven Talent and Learning Centre, on student teams in education, on the Einstein Telescope project and on the SFEER project

A tour of the Fontys laboratories

A plenary panel on how Talent and Learning Centres shorten the route from research results to learning experiences

Who is it for?

Professionals working in industry, public institutions and knowledge organisations. Among them researchers and lecturers in physics, electrical engineering, materials science and nanotechnology, engineers working on optical systems, semiconductors, quantum computing and nanotechnology, master’s students and PhD candidates, companies and start-ups in high tech, and policymakers working on innovation.

Practical information:

Date: Thursday 8 October 2026

Time: 10:00 to 17:30, including drinks and networking

Venue: Fontys Nexus, fourth floor, Eindhoven

Language: English

Attendance: free of charge, registration required

Please register before: 5 October 2026