KAUST has selected HPE to build "Shaheen III", a next-generation supercomputer using the HPE Cray EX platform. Shaheen III will be 20 times faster than KAUST's existing system, making it the most powerful supercomputer in the Middle East. The system will support research in areas like clean combustion, Red Sea ecosystems, and climate events. Why it matters: This infrastructure investment will significantly boost AI and scientific computing capabilities in the region, enabling KAUST to tackle complex research challenges.
KAUST announced the acquisition of a Cray XC40 supercomputer named Shaheen II, which will be 25 times more powerful than its current system. The investment aims to enhance KAUST's research capabilities and support collaborations with in-Kingdom organizations like Saudi Aramco and SABIC. Shaheen II will be used for simulations, climate modeling, and big data applications. Why it matters: This upgrade significantly boosts Saudi Arabia's high-performance computing infrastructure, enabling advanced research and development across various sectors and solidifying KAUST's position as a leading research institution.
A KAUST-led team in collaboration with Japan's National Institute of Informatics and Cray Inc. has implemented a new algorithm to harness the power of supercomputers. The algorithm integrates new singular value decomposition (SVD) codes into Cray LibSci scientific libraries, supporting machine learning and data de-noising applications. This was achieved through the Cray Center of Excellence (CCOE) at KAUST, established in 2015. Why it matters: The new algorithm helps to optimize the use of advanced supercomputing infrastructure in the region, specifically KAUST's Shaheen II, for computationally intensive AI applications.
KAUST participated in the Supercomputing Conference (SC17) in Denver, Colorado, with faculty, staff, and students. The university's Shaheen 2 Cray XC40 System was ranked the 20th fastest globally and the fastest in the Middle East. KAUST's IT department hosted talks featuring David Keyes, Jack Dongarra, Thierry-Laurent, Mootaz Elnozahy, and Jason Roos. Why it matters: KAUST's strong presence at SC17 highlights its commitment to advancing supercomputing capabilities in the Middle East and fostering international collaboration.
A KAUST article highlights the role of supercomputers like Shaheen in enhancing industrial competitiveness. Jean Tachiji, Cray Manager in the Middle East, Steven Scott, Cray CTO, and Saber Feki from KAUST Supercomputing Core Laboratory are featured in front of Shaheen. Why it matters: This underscores the strategic importance of high-performance computing for research and development in the region.
KAUST acquired the Shaheen-Cray XC40 supercomputer in 2015, which is 25 times faster than its predecessor, Shaheen I. The system arrived in Jeddah from Chicago in 123 crates and weighs around 109 metric tons. It consists of approximately 6,100 nodes, with each node containing 32 cores. Why it matters: This infrastructure upgrade significantly enhances KAUST's capacity for data-intensive scientific tasks like simulations and modeling, crucial for advancing research in areas such as climate and renewable energy.