In the triangle between Cologne, Düsseldorf and Aachen sits Juqueen, the most powerful supercomputer in Europe. It was added to the repertoire of supercomputers operated by the Jülich Supercomputing Centre in Germany last year.
Earlier this year, the Malta Council for Science and Technology, with the University of Malta, signed a memorandum of understanding with JSC laying the foundation for future collaboration and opportunities in supercomputing and simulation sciences. This agreement, which was brokered by the St Martin’s Institute of IT will facilitate the exchange of expertise between JSC and the University that will ultimately lead to optimal use of ‘Albert’, Malta’s supercomputer housed at the UoM.
Apart from the exchange of expertise, plans to facilitate further education and training of Maltese researchers and scientists in various fields related to supercomputing are also in place.
JSC is a member of the German Gauss Centre for Supercomputing and part of the Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH (Jülich Research Centre), one of the largest interdisciplinary research centres in Europe. It employs about 140 experts and concentrates its research and development efforts on mathematical modelling, especially parallel algorithms for quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, and Monte-Carlo simulations.
The focus in the computer sciences is on cluster computing, performance analysis of parallel programs, visualisation, computational steering, and grid computing. JSC also makes computing time at the highest performance level available to researchers in Germany and Europe by means of an independent peer-review process.
MCST, through its new collaboration with JSC, is exploring the possibility for Malta to participate in this research infrastructure, a step that would unlock yet more opportunities for the Maltese scientific and research community.
One such opportunity is the possibility for Maltese students to participate in JSC’s guest student programme on scientific computing that will run later this year. During the programme, students will work with scientists from JSC on topics of current interest in research and development and will be able to use the supercomputers at JSC, including Juqueen.
The deadline for applications is April 30 and space is limited and awarded on a competitive basis. For assistance with applications or information contact the MCST’s Claire Bellia at claire.bellia@gov.mt.