Author: Halyna Hyryavets

The discussion focused primarily on facilitating effective access to cutting-edge computing infrastructure and leveraging expert know-how in the fields of high-performance computing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. The National Supercomputing Centre thus acts not only as a technical partner but also as a strategic intermediary between research institutions and modern tools of digital science, helping to ensure more efficient use of computational resources in addressing complex interdisciplinary research challenges.  

Kľúčovým bodom stretnutia bola príprava spoločného projektu, ktorý bude realizovaný na národnej výskumnej infraštruktúre Devana, ktorá je prevádzkovaná Výpočtovým strediskom SAV. Počas stretnutia so zástupcami SAV sme diskutovali o analýze štruktúrnych vlastností technických tkanín s cieľom lepšie porozumieť ich  správaniu v špecifických podmienkach. Projekt prirodzene prepája odborné kapacity z oblasti polymérnych a biologických materiálov, fyzikálnych analytických metód a výpočtovej techniky – a predstavuje ukážkový príklad interdisciplinárneho prístupu k riešeniu komplexných vedeckých otázok.  

This type of collaboration also reflects the long-term vision of the National Supercomputing Centre: to build a network of expert partnerships aimed at supporting science, research, and innovation in Slovakia, creating opportunities for knowledge and technology transfer, and strengthening the competitiveness of Slovak research institutions within the European research area. 

The webinar focused on how high-performance computing (HPC) supports addressing emerging challenges in the field of digital forensics, particularly in processing and analyzing large datasets resulting from cyber incidents. Participants had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Dr. Mazhar Malik from the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), an expert in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital forensics. Dr. Malik serves as Deputy Director and Head of the Intelligent Systems Group at the School of Computing and Creative Technologies, and brings extensive experience in both research and the practical application of modern technologies in data security. In his lecture, he shared specific examples of how HPC is used in forensic analysis across both the industrial and public sectors, demonstrating how computational tools accelerate threat identification and improve the efficiency of incident investigations.

The discussion also focused on the broader context of digital forensics in an era of rapidly growing data volumes and the need for real-time processing. The topic particularly resonated with experts involved in big data analysis, the development of analytical tools, and the protection of information systems. At the same time, the webinar provided a platform for the exchange of practical experiences among representatives from various sectors.

If you were unable to attend the event, a recording of the webinar is available online. We especially recommend it to those interested in the intersection of computing technology with cybersecurity, analytics, and digital investigation.

We thank all participants for their active involvement and look forward to future professional events that support the advancement of cutting-edge research and technologies both in Slovakia and on the international stage.

Since 2021, SHMÚ has been using the modern computing system NEC-LX, which significantly contributes to weather forecasting. Its main tool is the ALADIN numerical weather prediction model, which runs continuously on this system. In the lecture, we will demonstrate how ALADIN is used in various areas — not only in weather forecasting, but also in computations related to climate, water, and air quality. It also helps process large volumes of data from radars, satellites, and other sources. Finally, we will explore additional ways it can be used — for example, in rapid short-term forecasts, ensemble calculations, or (potentially) even in applications involving artificial intelligence. 

Speaker Mgr. Mária Derková, PhD., Slovak hydrometeorological institute
Date: 27 May, 2025, 10:00 CEST
Venue: online
Registration

Join us for the talk: The Use of HPC at the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute

Registered participants will receive an invitation to the MS Teams meeting a few days before the event.

Modern artificial intelligence models today enable robots to recognize objects from predefined categories. However, the challenge remains the ability to perceive any object as an independent entity. A major breakthrough in this area came with visual transformers, which, since 2020, have made it possible to infer the position of an object as a byproduct of the image classification process.

Speaker RNDr. Andrej Lúčny, PhD., Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava
Date: 13 May, 2025, 10:00 CEST
Venue: online
Registration

Join us for the talk: Teaching Machines to See Any Object

Registered participants will receive an invitation to the MS Teams meeting a few days before the event.

The lecture will present:

• Využitie modelu DINO (2021), trénovaného bez anotácií, na navádzanie pozornosti humanoidného robota.
• Zlepšenie segmentácie obrazu prostredníctvom modelu CUTLER (2023) a metódy MaskCut, založenej na optimalizačnej úlohe NCut.
• New approaches to more efficient generation of fine masks using neural network learning.

The lecture is intended for researchers, professionals, students, and all those interested in artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotics.

Na podujatí vám odborníci z viacerých inštitúcií, vrátane Národného superpočítačového centra, ukážu, ako umelá inteligencia a špičkové technológie dokážu reálne pomáhať firmám v rôznych oblastiach.

During the training, you will learn:

• What are the latest trends in the field of artificial intelligence.
• How generative AI can simplify business processes.
• How companies can save time, money, and human resources with supercomputing technologies.
• How to practically use AI tools for the visualization of production processes and the creation of digital twins.
• How to apply AI solutions in everyday business practice.

Training Program:

• Welcome and Introduction of the BrAIn Project – prof. Ing. Zoltán Balogh, PhD., UKF Nitra a Andrej Gero, PROUNION a.s.
• Generative Artificial Intelligence in Practice: Opportunities, Benefits, Differences – doc. Mgr. Ľubomír Benko, PhD., UKF Nitra
• Optimization of Internal Company Processes Using AI – Mgr. Dominik Halvoník, PhD., UKF Nitra
• A Supercomputer Saves Companies Time, Money, and Human Resources – Ing. Lucia Malíčková, PhD., Národné superpočítačové centrum
• Using AI Tools for the Visualization of Production Processes and the Creation of Digital Twins – Miloš Lukáč, PROUNION a.s.
• Using AI Tools in Everyday Business Practice – Andrej Gero, PROUNION a.s.

The training will also include:

• Practical demonstrations of AI tools and supercomputing solutions
• Discussion with experts and networking
• Možnosť zapojiť sa do ďalších aktivít v rámci medzinárodného projektu BrAIn
  (funded by the Interreg Danube program, which supports increasing the competitiveness of SMEs in the Danube region)

Registration:

Účasť na tréningu je bezplatná, ale je potrebné sa registrovať do 15. mája 2025 prostredníctvom online registration form.

As part of the program, which focused on evaluating the cluster's activities, planning future steps, and building partnerships, we had the opportunity to present our expert talk titled “Plastic Under the Supercomputer Microscope: More Accurate Production, Fewer Defects, More Innovation.”The presentation was delivered by Ing. Lucia Malíčková, PhD., Project Coordinator at the NSCC, who provided participants with an in-depth overview of how high-performance computing (HPC) can significantly support the development of new materials, optimize manufacturing processes, and reduce production errors.

The main goal of our participation was to highlight that HPC is no longer solely a tool for the academic sphere but is becoming increasingly accessible to industrial enterprises. When combined with advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence tools, HPC can also support the automation of production lines and the creation of digital twins—virtual models of manufacturing processes that enable more efficient management and planning.

The Slovak Plastics Cluster is one of the most active platforms for collaboration between companies, research organizations, and public authorities in the fields of plastics, composites, rubber, and rubber-processing technologies. We value the opportunity to be part of this community and to contribute innovative solutions powered by cutting-edge computational infrastructure.

Our presentation sparked a lively discussion among the cluster’s members and guests. Interest in the practical application of HPC technologies in business practice is growing, and at NSCC, we are ready to help companies navigate the possibilities of using these tools effectively—from free consultations and pilot projects to long-term support for digitalization initiatives and new product development.

We believe that events like these help build bridges between the scientific community and industry. High-performance computing can be a powerful driver of competitiveness for Slovak manufacturers—and at the National Supercomputing Centre, we are ready to be their technological partner on this journey.

We would like to thank the Slovak Plastics Cluster for the invitation and the inspiring event. We look forward to future joint activities and collaboration on projects that support innovative and sustainable solutions in industry.

We are proud to bridge research and practice and to co-create success stories of innovative Slovak companies.

You can read the full article in the SOPK Monthly, issue 4/2025, on page 41.

Together with SARIO, we express our intention to closely cooperate on:

• raising awareness about the possibilities of using high-performance computing and related technologies,
• supporting innovation in both companies and research organizations,
• developing the business environment in the field of digital technologies.

Our shared goal is to make computational resources and expert know-how accessible to the private sector – from early-stage startups to established industrial enterprises. Today, HPC technologies play a key role in accelerating product development, optimizing processes, reducing costs, and increasing competitiveness.

We are convinced that connecting technological infrastructure with investment and innovation policy creates a strong foundation for the development of Slovakia as a modern and technologically advanced country. We believe that cooperation with SARIO will contribute to an even more effective use of HPC potential in the Slovak economy.

Handling digital forensics in large-scale environments demands immense computational resources. This session will demonstrate how HPC accelerates the forensic analysis of cyber incidents, supports large dataset examination, and enables faster threat identification. Use cases from industry and public sector investigations will be discussed.

Speaker: Dr. Mazhar Malik UWE Bristol, Faculty of Environment and Technology – Computer Science and Creative Technologies 
Date: 5 May, 2025, 11:00 CEST
Venue: online
Registration

Join us for the talk: Digital Forensics in the Era of Big Data: Leveraging HPC for Incident Analysis 

Registered participants will receive an invitation to the MS Teams meeting a few days before the event.

About the Speaker

Dr. Mazhar Malik is Associate Director and Head of Intelligent Systems at the School of Computing and Creative Technologies, where he has served since September 2022. He has extensive experience in IoT, cybersecurity, digital forensics, and artificial intelligence. Previously, he worked as Director for apprenticeship in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics at Cardiff Metropolitan University, and as Associate Professor and Head of Computing and IT at the Global College of Engineering and Technology (GCET) in Oman. From 2015 to 2022, he led academic programmes including MSc Data Science, BSc Computer Security and Forensics, and BSc Computer Science with a focus on smart devices and AI, in collaboration with UWE-Bristol. He also contributes to programme accreditation with the British Computer Society and other international agencies. Dr. Malik is a Fellow of the British Computer Society and a Certified Information Technology Professional. He serves on editorial boards of several international journals and has chaired the Asia Pacific International Conference on Emerging Engineering since 2017. He also supervises doctoral research in cybersecurity and data analytics. 

That’s why the goal of our lecture was to show students how HPC technologies can practically support innovation in business—across various sectors, from manufacturing and healthcare to energy and the automotive industry. The lecture also included an open discussion, during which we explored with the students specific ways HPC can be applied—ranging from optimizing production processes and predictive modeling of consumer behavior to developing sustainable products. We also shared case studies demonstrating how HPC gives companies a competitive edge—whether through cost savings, reduced time requirements, or improved output quality.

We’re very pleased to see the students’ active interest in modern technologies and their connection to business. We believe that expert lectures like this can help young people better understand current trends, broaden their horizons, and gain inspiration for their further studies or future career paths.

We’re very pleased to see the students’ active interest in modern technologies and their connection to business. We believe that expert lectures like this can help young people better understand current trends, broaden their horizons, and gain inspiration for their further studies or future career paths.