pqctraining.org

What It Is

Executive School on Post-Quantum Cryptography was a two-day in-person short course organized by the Eindhoven Institute for the Protection of Systems and Information (Ei/PSI) at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. It took place on July 1–2, 2019, at the Movie Theatre in Zwarte Doos, Eindhoven University of Technology. The course was positioned as a crash course in post-quantum cryptography, with an emphasis on covering the fundamentals of the field.

Key Dimensions

The course has a very clear focus: post-quantum cryptography, which sits at the intersection of cryptography, information security, and migration toward quantum-safe systems. It was not a livestream, recorded course, or 1-on-1 format, but an in-person lecture-style executive school with a full schedule, catering, and on-site networking arrangements. The page does not mention a completion certificate or formal certification, so it should not be regarded as a certificate program. In terms of target audience, the organizer expected participants to have knowledge equivalent to an undergraduate level in mathematics, computer science, or the IT track of electrical engineering. This means it was not an entry-level introductory course, but was better suited to graduate students, engineers, or security professionals with an existing STEM background.

Faculty and Institutional Background

The institutional background is the main strength of this program. It was organized by an information protection research institute affiliated with Eindhoven University of Technology, and the speakers included well-known cryptography scholars and researchers such as Daniel J. Bernstein, Tanja Lange, and Andreas Hülsing. For learners who want exposure to the core research landscape of post-quantum cryptography, the instructor credibility is strong.

Pricing and Payment

The standard registration fee was €300, while students and postdocs paid €150. The fee covered all lectures, coffee breaks, lunch on both days, and dinner on the first day. For an in-person academic short course that includes catering and expert instruction, the pricing was not high. However, payment was by bank transfer and required a specific transfer reference, which may be inconvenient for international participants, especially those from China.

Pros, Cons, and Who It Is For

The strengths are its cutting-edge topic, solid academic backing, strong speaker lineup, and short, intensive format. The drawbacks are also clear: the page refers to a 2019 event, so current enrollment availability is limited or unclear; there is no additional information about certificates, language of instruction, or the availability of course materials; and participants had to travel to the Netherlands in person, making travel costs significant. It is best suited to learners who already have a foundation in cryptography or security and want to build a post-quantum cryptography framework quickly. It is not suitable for complete beginners or people simply looking for an online certificate.

Access from China and Alternatives

The text does not provide enough information to determine website accessibility from mainland China, so it should be treated as unknown. Even if the site is accessible, attending in person would still involve visas, flights, accommodation, and cross-border bank transfers. If attendance is not possible, alternatives include university open courses, cryptography conference tutorials, public NIST PQC resources, and cryptography or quantum security courses on platforms such as Coursera and edX.