The year 2025 has been proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ, 2025), recognizing the transformative potential of quantum research in shaping sustainable, innovative, and inclusive societies. Within this global framework, Selçuk University will host the Conference on the Quantum Universe on 14-16 December 2025, in cooperation with the UNESCO Turkish National Commission. The conference aims to foster scientific awareness, promote public engagement, and explore the multidimensional impact of quantum science on education, technology, culture, and sustainability.

The event is designed as a multidisciplinary platform that brings together undergraduate and graduate students, high-school teachers and students, researchers, and artists from across Türkiye. With approximately 250 participants, the conference encourages active involvement through seminars, posters, exhibitions, and artistic performances. Its dual structure, “Horizons Opened by Science” and “Horizons Opened by Art,” emphasizes the complementary relationship between scientific inquiry and creative expression.

The scientific program includes keynote lectures by distinguished scholars in quantum physics, cosmology, computing, photonics, quantum algorithms, accelerator technologies, and quantum biology. These sessions highlight the expanding role of quantum technologies in information processing, communication, energy systems, and advanced materials. Complementing scientific talks, scientific posters, and awareness posters allow participants to explore the intersection of quantum science with global priorities such as clean energy, climate action, digital transformation, and responsible innovation.

These contributions directly support several Sustainable Development Goals, including:
Goal 4: Quality Education, Goal 5: Gender Equality, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Goal 13: Climate Action,
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The artistic program broadens the vision of the conference by integrating quantum concepts with music, theatre, digital art, and interactive exhibitions. The musical performance, digital and abstract painting performances, the Quantum Stage theatre production, and the Robots from Technological Waste Exhibition encourage participants to engage in experiential learning while promoting sustainable and ethical perspectives. These activities reinforce UNESCO’s principles of science–culture interaction, creativity, and inclusive participation.
Throughout the conference, university and high-school students will have opportunities to engage directly with leading scientists, present their own work, and participate in collaborative activities. All accepted abstracts will be published in the Conference on the Quantum Universe Abstract Book, ensuring open access to the knowledge produced. The conference outputs will also be shared through Selçuk University and UNESCO-related platforms to maximize visibility and long-term impact.

By uniting science, education, and the arts under the umbrella of IYQ 2025, the Conference on the Quantum Universe aims to inspire curiosity, strengthen scientific literacy, support sustainable development goals, and cultivate a new generation of thinkers who approach global challenges with creativity, responsibility, and interdisciplinary insight.