Recap of xQAP Live Q&A Session 2 (2025-11-18)

Meeting summary

Key takeaways

• The meeting was an xQAP Live Q&A Session, focusing on the online system of the university, research interests, and application processes.
• Professor Costa Hamido (OCH) provided an overview of the Postgraduate Online Admission System (PGOAS) and shared resources for learning more about his research and the field of quantum computing and creative practice.
• Deadlines for application submission were discussed: December 5 for international students and December 26 for Chinese students.
• OCH emphasized the importance of submitting applications early, as reviews will begin after the first deadline.
• Future PhD positions were mentioned, with one position likely available for the next fall, making the selection process more competitive.

Q & A summary

Application Process and Deadlines

Candidate: Will there be any interviews before the deadline, December 5th, since I've already submitted the online application?
OCH: No, interviews will wait until after the December 5th deadline. Note that there are two deadlines: December 5th for international students and December 26th for Chinese students, which might affect the review process timing.
Candidate: Since I won't be able to attend the Information Hub, will you have PhD student positions available next fall, and what should I focus on to improve my chances?
OCH: Yes, likely one position will be available next fall, making it more competitive. To improve chances, align your interests with the research agenda on quantum computing and creative practices, show genuine interest, contribute to the field through research or creative work, or help map the field.

PhD Position Details

Candidate: Is the current PhD position for the spring semester?
OCH: Yes, the position is for the spring semester, starting late February or early March. The next position would be for either the next fall or the spring after.
Candidate: Regarding the start semester selection in the system (Spring 25-26, August, etc.), could someone selected now start only in the fall due to delays (e.g., visa issues)?
OCH: Yes, it's possible for a selected candidate to start in the fall due to unforeseen delays, but the funding would be allocated in this round.

Co-supervisor Recommendations

Candidate: Do you recommend Professor Nicolo as a co-supervisor, and are there other recommendations since we don't know the faculty well?
OCH: Niccolo is a good choice, especially for those interested in instrument building. Other potential co-supervisors working on sound at CMA include Mark Grimshaw-Aagaard. For those with a strong physics background, Professor Chen Peng from the metamaterials lab, working on quantum computing, could be worth considering.

Additional Inquiries

Candidate: Is there a transcript/note of the first session (if the content was different from this one)?
OCH: Unfortunately, the first session was not recorded, but an AI summary was generated by Zoom. This summary will be linked on the website for reference.