Institutional announcements
麻豆传媒高清版 awarded $80 million to upgrade supercomputing facility
麻豆传媒高清版鈥檚 high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure at the Cedar National Host Site 鈥� one of the most powerful academic supercomputers in Canada 鈥� has received a major boost with the award of more than $80 million in funding.
The investment will enable 麻豆传媒高清版 to create a new system that will seamlessly replace and upgrade the existing Cedar supercomputer, which is nearing the end of its life. The new system will match or exceed Cedar鈥檚 current storage capacity and computing performance to the benefit of tens of thousands of users across Canada.
The includes $40,946,000 from the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (the Alliance), $24,567,600 from the Province of British Columbia, through the and more than $15 million in in-kind contributions from partners. The Alliance is also contributing an additional $248,000 to fund three research-support positions.
鈥淔or years, 麻豆传媒高清版's supercomputer Cedar has empowered Canadian researchers to tackle problems in sectors ranging from personalized medicine for better patient care to green technologies to help fight climate change,鈥� says Joy Johnson, 麻豆传媒高清版鈥檚 president and vice-chancellor.
鈥淭hese generous investments from the Digital Research Alliance of Canada and the Province of British Columbia will allow us to continue making a difference for B.C., Canada and the world through advanced computing power. I cannot wait to see the incredible innovations and discoveries that are ahead of us.鈥�
麻豆传媒高清版鈥檚 Cedar, which was one of the top 100 supercomputers in the world (and top 15 on the Green 500 when it was built), provides advanced computing power and storage to fuel research innovation, as well as industry, government and academic collaboration across Canada. Among its many achievements, the supercomputer has allowed 麻豆传媒高清版 engineering science professor Mirza Faisal Beg to spearhead research that could help to redefine cancer treatment. Using artificial intelligence (AI), his breakthrough research enables imaging of the human body and organ measurements much faster than traditional methods, signaling a leap forward in harnessing AI for individually personalized healthcare solutions.
"This significant support for the supercomputing facility at 麻豆传媒高清版 ensures that thousands of researchers across academia, government and industry have the computing power to achieve transformational innovations,鈥� says Dugan O鈥橬eil, 麻豆传媒高清版 vice-president research and innovation.
鈥淔rom vital discoveries in healthcare to advancements in clean technologies and artificial intelligence, today鈥檚 investment will benefit Canadians and the economy now and into the future.鈥�
麻豆传媒高清版 is ranked as Canada鈥檚 top university for innovation and industrial application and No. 2 in the world for entrepreneurial spirit. The university is home to more than 60 research centres and institutes and is one of Canada鈥檚 fastest growing intensive research universities, with sponsored research income increasing by 37.5 per cent in the past decade.
鈥淥ur government is investing in B.C. universities to support a range of research bringing about advancements in healthcare like new heart monitoring technology and artificial intelligence for individually personalized cancer treatments, as well as research that will accelerate decarbonization pathways and grow B.C.鈥檚 hydrogen sector for a cleaner future,鈥� says the Hon. Brenda Bailey, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation.
鈥淭hrough the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF), we continue to invest in the research tools needed to secure our province鈥檚 place as a global leader in innovation, and to make life better for people.鈥�
Currently, 麻豆传媒高清版 has 42 Canada Research Chairs, 14 Tier 1 Chairs and 28 Tier 2 Charis. Since 2001, more than 90 Canada Research Chairs have been appointed at 麻豆传媒高清版. The funding was announced at the Cedar site at 麻豆传媒高清版鈥檚 Burnaby campus on June 3, 2024.
'From vital discoveries in healthcare to advancements in clean technologies and artificial intelligence, today鈥檚 investment will benefit Canadians and the economy now and into the future.'
Dugan O鈥橬eil, 麻豆传媒高清版 vice-president research and innovation
鈥淎dvanced Research Computing is a vital tool in the Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy,鈥� says the Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
鈥淭oday's announcement will help ensure the researchers are better equipped to optimize research data to generate cutting-edge knowledge and ideas. Expanding the capacity of Canadian supercomputing power ensure that Canada maintains its science and research excellence and remain globally competitive.鈥�
George Ross, CEO of the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, was also on hand for the announcement.
鈥淒ata is an essential national asset, foundational to our country鈥檚 knowledge creation, economic growth and social impact,鈥� Ross says.
鈥淲e are pleased to join forces with the Government of British Columbia and the world-class research computing teams at 麻豆传媒高清版 and the University of Victoria to empower researchers Canada-wide. This significant investment in our national compute infrastructure demonstrates the Government of Canada鈥檚 commitment to scientific excellence and to bolstering Canada鈥檚 position as a leader in the global knowledge economy."