Connectionists: Last seats @ Quantum & Neuromorphic Optimization summer school

[Stephan Petrone]

Call for Participation (apologies for multiple copies)

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MESS 2026 - Metaheuristics Summer School
~ Emerging Computing Paradigms for Optimization:
from Quantum to Neuromorphic ~

6-10 July 2026, Catania, Italy

https://www.ANTs-lab.it/mess2026/
mess.school at ANTs-lab.it
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MetaheuristicsSchool/
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** LAST SEATS - APPLICATION DEADLINE: 15th June 2026 **
https://www.ants-lab.it/mess2026/apply.html


MESS 2026 offers a deep dive into the frontiers of Quantum and Neuromorphic
computing. The program explores the entire technological stack, covering
architectures, programming models, and advanced algorithms for complex
optimization. Through a blend of theoretical lectures and hands-on
sessions, participants will gain the expertise to lead innovation in
next-generation computational research.

The lectures will focus on the following topics for both quantum and
neuromorphic computing: 1) architectures; 2) programming models; 3)
optimization algorithms and applications; and 4) pratical work.

The school will involve a total of 36-40 hours of lectures; therefore, in
according to the academic system, all PhD and master students attending the
summer school will can get 8 ECTS points.


** LECTURERS

# QUANTUM COMPUTING:
+ Siddhartha Bhattacharyya, VSB Tech. Un. Ostrava, Czech Republic
lecture1: "Introduction to Quantum Computing"
lecture2: "Quantum Neural Networks: From Quantum-Inspired Framework to
Quantum-Gate Framework"

+ Linsey Rodenbach, Quantum Computing at NVIDIA
lecture1: "TBA"
lecture2: "TBA"

+ Philippe Lacomme, Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, France
lecture1: "TBA"
lecture2: "TBA"

# NEUROMORPHIC COMPUTING:
+ Irem Boybat, IBM Research Zurich, Switzerland
lecture1: "TBA"
lecture2: "TBA"

+ Elisa Donati, Institute of Neuroinformatics UZH/ETH
lecture1: "Neural networks and neural computing"
lecture2: "Neuromorphic Computing and Technology"

+ El-Ghazali Talbi, University of Lille, France
lecture1: "Neuromorphic computing: A gentle introduction"
lecture2: "Neuromorphic-based optimization: Algorithms based on
metaheuristics and computational biology"

+ Jorge Cruz-Duarte, University of Lille, France
lecture1: "Neuromorphic-based optimization: Software framework under Lava
and Nengo"



** SHORT ORAL PRESENTATION

All participants may submit an abstract of their recent results, or works
in progress, for presentation and having the opportunities for debate and
interact with leaders in the field. The organizing committee will review
the abstracts and will recommend the format of the presentation (oral or
poster). All abstracts will be published in the electronic hands-out book
of the summer school.

The Abstracts must be submitted during the application by *June 15, 2026*.


** MESS 2026 DIRECTORS:
- Salvatore Greco, University of Catania, Italy
- Mario Pavone, University of Catania, Italy
- Andrea Schaerf, University of Udine, Italy
- El-Ghazali Talbi, University of Lille, France
- Daniele Vigo, University of Bologna, Italy


** MORE INFORMATION:

https://www.ANTs-lab.it/mess2026/   --   mess.school at ANTs-lab.it
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MetaheuristicsSchool/
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