The objective of the HiPowerEd is to make create digital tools of the highest computational level for young people (young researchers with their teachers and young professionals) together with Cloud Computing and “Virtual Classroom”. The use of the created digital means project will assure the responsiveness, adaptability, and flexibility of the educational system during the COVID-19 recovery process. The objective is to make the HPC technology widely available to the younger population and to the underrepresented groups because at the moment the HPC technology is a highly exclusive technology available to a smaller group of people. In order to raise European digital readiness, these horizontal high tech tools should be widely promoted. The project tries to remove obstacles and to familiarize young people with the HPC technology in a broad range of scientific disciplines (STEM, humanistic, medical, economy...), catalyze the formation of networks, provide mentoring through faculty members and supercomputing experts from renowned HPC centers, and to facilitate international exchange and open further carrier options. The project will produce a complete supportive digital framework with designated solutions in various scientific fields in order to efficiently introduce future scientists and professionals into the HPC. The current global crisis teaches us about the importance of the digitalization of society which gives us the flexibility to overcome the looming perils where the promotion and development of educational digital technologies stand at the forefront.
Implementing the HiPowerEd project, we aimed to achieve several key objectives to promote digital education and prepare the young generation for the technology-driven future: Democratize Access to HPC: Our primary objective was to democratize access to High-Performance Computing (HPC), making this powerful technology available to young researchers, professionals, teachers, and underrepresented groups. Develop Digital Skills: We wanted to help young people develop the necessary digital skills to leverage HPC in various scientific fields, thereby enhancing their employability and readiness for the digital age. Promote Interdisciplinary Learning: By exposing participants to the applications of HPC across a wide range of disciplines, we hoped to promote interdisciplinary learning and innovative thinking. Foster Network Building and Mentorship: We sought to facilitate the formation of professional networks among participants and provide them with mentoring opportunities from renowned HPC experts. Enhance Educational Resilience: Given the global crisis and the shift to remote learning, we aimed to contribute to the resilience and adaptability of the educational system during recovery and beyond.
We applied for the HiPowerEd project for several compelling reasons and with a clear vision to address a variety of pressing needs: Democratizing HPC: High-Performance Computing (HPC) is indeed a highly exclusive technology, often only accessible to a select few. We saw the critical need to democratize access to HPC technology, to equip our young researchers and professionals with this transformative tool. This project gives us the chance to break down those barriers and make HPC a widely accessible tool. Education Continuity: The global crisis has forced a shift in educational modalities, and the need for robust, flexible digital tools has never been more apparent. We saw the project as an opportunity to contribute to a resilient educational framework that can withstand such disruptions in the future. Cross-Disciplinary Learning: HPC has wide-ranging applications across numerous scientific disciplines. We recognized the need to expose young learners to these possibilities, encourage cross-disciplinary learning, and inspire innovative thinking.