The North West University (NWU), Campus Potchefstroom, has launched a R3-million high-performance computing (HPC) facility.

The HPC field deals with cutting-edge computing technology. It incorporates processing, networking, storage and visualisation, and is a critical enabler in numerous applications that advance the frontiers of science – from the simulation of nuclear reactions to data mining the human genome.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom says that research and development is essential to the attainment of South Africa’s socioeconomic aims.

“We need to look to the abilities of com-
puters to accelerate our work. The concept of HPC adds another building block to our capability to compete at the forefront of progress. To be successful, current and emerging 
research techniques increasingly require 
access to powerful computing capabilities. HPC 
capabilities have become a critical requirement in many fields of research in which it is impossible to remain competitive without access to HPC facilities,” Hanekom said at the launch.

He noted that the new HPC resource would enable the university to remain one of the top research institutions in the country and extend 
its capacity to deliver excellent research.

From government’s point of view, the main aims of HPC are to enhance South Africa’s globally competitive position and to help accelerate Africa’s socioeconomic uplift-
ment through the effective application of high-end cyberinfrastructure.

Hanekom added that these aims were attain-
able, but only if they were supported by 
relevant advanced eresearch techniques in research and development efforts – both 
academic and business focused – in all aspects of science, engineering, technology, medicine, finance and the humanities.

He added that HPC ranked as one of three primary pillars in the national cyberinfrastructure intervention that the department supports and that the South African National Research Network and Very Large Database 
programmes complement the HPC effort through the provision of high-speed, high-bandwidth connectivity, and the effective management of a variety of notably large 
databases.

“This will support research initiated in other areas, such as our bid to host the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, the National Bioinformatics Network, the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, and other international initiatives, including the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.”

Hanekom urged the university to use the HPC facility to fast-track the process of 
improving the quality of life of all citizens.

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