With less than two months to go until the 4th Advanced Computing Meeting, which will be held on November 5 and 6 at the University of Beira Interior, Irina Moreira,professor and researcher at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology at the University of Coimbra, shared her testimony about the 2023 edition, the first she attended.
The future edition of the Meeting is organized by FCCN, the digital services of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), in collaboration with the University of Beira Interior.
- How important is this event for Advanced Computing in Portugal?
The importance of the Advanced Computing Meeting in Portugal is unquestionable. This event serves as a focal point for researchers, academics, industry professionals and other specialists in the field, promoting the exchange of ideas and the sharing of knowledge about the latest trends and innovations.
It also provides detailed information on the national advanced computing network and how to access it. It also encourages the creation of collaborative networks between various institutions, both national and international, which is essential for scientific and technological progress in Portugal.
- What were the highlights of the last edition and what made the biggest difference?
One of the main highlights was the presentation of new ways to access European supercomputers, which significantly expanded the opportunities available at national level and facilitated access to these essential resources.
Another relevant point was the introduction of new resources from the National Network for Advanced Computing (RNCA), which plays a crucial role in training companies and publicizing its access modalities.
The Advanced Computing Projects were another highlight, arousing strong interest among Portuguese researchers. As co-founder of PURR.AI, I was particularly excited that our project was approved in the most recent competition, where we distinguished ourselves with an innovative artificial intelligence solution applied to advanced computing, using the Deucalion supercomputer . In addition, the round tables addressed key issues such as data storage capacity, processing speed and the feasibility of centralizing access to data at a single point, freely accessible to the scientific community.
These debates were especially relevant to me, given the potential impact of these solutions on the advancement of scientific research in Portugal, where I am based.
