Author: Nox Monyake
CHPC-NVIDIA GPU Bootcamp
NVIDIA, in collaboration with the CHPC, will host an online GPU Bootcamp Training event on 10-11 Dec 2020.
Make sure to visit the link below for full details and to apply for participation. Note that the training is free, but that attendance numbers will be limited. If you are interested, make sure to apply for participation before the application deadline of 29 Nov 2020.
Registrations open for the 2020 CHPC National Conference
The annual CHPC National Conference, which includes DIRISA and SANReN tracks, will run from Monday to Wednesday, 30 November to 2 December 2020 as a fully online conference. More information can be found by visiting the conference site.
Applications open for the 2020 Student Cluster Competition
The Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to enter the 2020 Student Cluster Competition. The CHPC Student Cluster Competition gives undergraduate students at South African universities exposure to the High Performance Computing industry. The winning team will move on to the international round at the 2021 International Supercomputing Conference in Frankfurt, Germany.
To enter a team, visit https://events.chpc.ac.za/event/83/ and complete the online application form by 23:59 on 14 September 2020. For more information on the CHPC Student Cluster Competition, visit http://scc.chpc.ac.za. Applications will be processed as they are received and qualifying candidates will be given access to the course content immediately. The centre is running this programme with as much flexibility as possible and encourages students to enter even if it is uncertain if they will be able to complete the course. There are no fees for the course and students may progress at their own pace.
Competition duration
Due to the restrictions in place to combat the spread of COVID-19, the competition’s organising committee has decided to make this round of the competition an online event and spread it out over a period of 10 weeks. The content and total work required to complete the Selection Round remains largely the same as it was in the week-long event that was run in previous years. If you are currently on lockdown without access to the Internet, a computer or a computer lab, you are still encouraged to enter. You do not need to be available from the starting date of the Selection Round and may progress at your own pace. Once you have been entered, you may participate as and when your university makes resources available to you.
For any queries related to the application process, please contact David Macleod at dmacleod@csir.co.za.
A new Software Developer for NICIS
As demand continues to rise from the user-base, NICIS welcomes a new staff member. This month, the group welcomed Binjamin Barsch to the CHPC.
Binjamin is joining the CHPC Research Group as a Software Developer with appointment date, 15 July 2020. He is joins from Flightscope where he has been involved and leading software development projects for a number of years.
My name is Binjamin Barsch, pronounced Binyamin. I was born and raised in Cape Town. I currently stay in Kenwyn with my wife. I went to Stellenbosch University where I graduated with a bachelors in engineering in mechatronic engineering in 2012. I also received a masters in engineering from UCT in radar and electronic defense in 2018. In 2013 I started working at FlightScope, a company based in Technopark, Stellenbosch. They design, develop and manufacture sport projectile tracking devices using radar and camera technology. I worked there for 8+ years focusing on radar firmware for the golf, tennis, and athletics products and software development for data analytics, mining, processing and visualisation. I was also the athletics project team lead. My interests and hobbies revolve around learning languages, part-time teaching, robotics, IoT, and parkour. I am excited to join the CHPC as I want to make a positive impact in South Africa. I want to contribute in developing cutting-edge technology and research that will make an impact in South Africa and uplift our society.
In Welcoming Binjamin to his team, CHPC Research Manager, Werner Janse van Rensburg said: “We are excited to welcome Benjamin to the CHPC and we are looking forward to the contributions he will be making to the success of the CHPC and NICIS. Most of us (including him) are of course still locked-down and working from home, but we will make sure to properly welcome him in person at the CHPC when we are all back at work. We will however, be scheduling a virtual welcome via Zoom for him to be introduced to the wider team”.