Author: Halyna Hyryavets

New HPC Ambassador: Union of Clusters of Slovakia

We are pleased to announce that the National Competence Centre for HPC has established a new partnership with the Union of Clusters of Slovakia (ÚKS) as part of the HPC Ambassador program This significant step will strengthen our joint efforts in promoting innovation and the adoption of high-performance computing technologies among clusters and their members from various sectors, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises in Slovakia.

Shared Goals and Visions

Our shared goal is to raise awareness and promote the adoption of HPC technologies among Slovak clusters, which bring together businesses, research institutions, and the academic sphere. In collaboration with ÚKS, we will organize events, training sessions, and informational campaigns that will provide cluster members with the necessary knowledge and tools to utilize HPC in their activities.

How We Collaborate

As part of this collaboration, the NCC will regularly share information about its activities, training sessions, and services that are relevant to the members and partners of ÚKS. ÚKS, in turn, will use its communication channels to inform its members about these opportunities and will connect businesses ready to utilize HPC technologies with the NCC. ÚKS members will also gain access to expert assistance and support for various research or development projects.

We believe that this partnership will significantly contribute to the development of the innovation ecosystem in Slovakia and help cluster members become more competitive in the global market.

We look forward to a successful collaboration and many joint projects ahead!

Lecture on HPC, AI and Career Opportunities 15 Mar - At the Faculty of Commerce of the University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA), a guest lecture was held on 10 March 2026 focusing on current trends in high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and career opportunities in the digital environment.

AI and Supercomputers in Practice: A Lecture for TUKE Students 13 Mar - On 5 March 2026, an expert lecture by Dr. Lucia Malíčková from the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) took place at the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), titled “Can Supercomputers and Artificial Intelligence Be Useful?”. The event was held in lecture hall PK7 in a hybrid format (both online and in person) and was attended by 110 TUKE students.

Accountability by Design: Turning AI Standards into Practice and Certification 12 Mar - Exploring how the EU AI Act translates harmonized standards into real-world AI testing and certification. Discover how the EU AI Act moves from regulatory text to technical implementation — and what this means for organisations developing and deploying AI systems.

NCC Slovakia & NCC Poland: ORCA Hands-on Workshop

V dňoch 21. a 22. mája 2024 sa v Bratislave uskutočnil ORCA workshop took place in Bratislava. This two-day workshop, organized by the national competence centers for HPC from Slovakia and Poland, focused on the ORCA quantum chemistry software package. Participants were introduced to the basics as well as selected advanced techniques of working with ORCA, with a significant portion of the workshop dedicated to practical exercises.

The workshop began with the registration and welcome of participants, followed by a presentation of the EuroCC 2competence center project. Instructor Klemens Noga from Cyfronet, the HPC center in Krakow, introduced the Polish HPC ecosystem and the opportunities available to users in the field of computational chemistry.

During the first day, the instructor focused on the practical aspects of setting up ORCA on HPC systems. Participants were introduced to the setup and operation of HPC clusters, best practices for installing ORCA, and the SLURM tool, which is used for managing computational tasks. They were familiarized with the structure and syntax of input files required for basic quantum chemical calculations, such as single-point energy calculations, property calculations, and geometry optimization. The workshop also covered output analysis, extraction of useful information, and visualization of results for better interpretation and presentation.

The second day began with more advanced computational options in ORCA. Participants learned how to set up calculations for vibrational frequencies, relativistic corrections, and spectroscopic properties. The instructor also focused on explaining scalability metrics, strategies for improving performance, and the efficiency of parallel computations on HPC systems, which the participants then practically tested. In the afternoon, participants worked on redox potential calculations and went through case studies prepared based on their own materials. The final part of the workshop dealt with troubleshooting calculations and sharing best practices to maximize the efficiency and accuracy of computations in ORCA.

The program also included a tour of the Devana supercomputer at the Computing Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. The event provided participants with fundamental knowledge and skills for working with the ORCA package in the field of quantum chemical computations on HPC systems. We believe the workshop was beneficial to the participants and assisted them in their work on their own research projects. The ORCA package is part of the software suite of the Devana system, and its license is freely available to all academic users.

Lecture on HPC, AI and Career Opportunities 15 Mar - At the Faculty of Commerce of the University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA), a guest lecture was held on 10 March 2026 focusing on current trends in high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and career opportunities in the digital environment.

AI and Supercomputers in Practice: A Lecture for TUKE Students 13 Mar - On 5 March 2026, an expert lecture by Dr. Lucia Malíčková from the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) took place at the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), titled “Can Supercomputers and Artificial Intelligence Be Useful?”. The event was held in lecture hall PK7 in a hybrid format (both online and in person) and was attended by 110 TUKE students.

Accountability by Design: Turning AI Standards into Practice and Certification 12 Mar - Exploring how the EU AI Act translates harmonized standards into real-world AI testing and certification. Discover how the EU AI Act moves from regulatory text to technical implementation — and what this means for organisations developing and deploying AI systems.

MaX school: materials and molecular modelling with QUANTUM ESPRESSO

An online school organized by MaX, in collaboration with: Czechia, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland from Hungary- June 19-21, 2024.

The course encompasses a comprehensive curriculum designed to cover the primary features of the Quantum ESPRESSOThe emphasis is on practical skill development. The course strikes a balance between theory and application, offering a hands-on learning experience. It caters to a beginner to intermediate level, aiming to equip participants with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for the effective utilization of QUANTUM ESPRESSO in their research and academic pursuits.

The school is designed for participants with a background in condensed matter physics or chemistry interested in learning to use Quantum ESPRESSO.

The school plans to cover the main features of the code and provide basic user skills such as compilation, simple scripting, choice of parallel options, and similar.

More info about the event

Registration

Lecture on HPC, AI and Career Opportunities 15 Mar - At the Faculty of Commerce of the University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA), a guest lecture was held on 10 March 2026 focusing on current trends in high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and career opportunities in the digital environment.

AI and Supercomputers in Practice: A Lecture for TUKE Students 13 Mar - On 5 March 2026, an expert lecture by Dr. Lucia Malíčková from the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) took place at the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), titled “Can Supercomputers and Artificial Intelligence Be Useful?”. The event was held in lecture hall PK7 in a hybrid format (both online and in person) and was attended by 110 TUKE students.

Accountability by Design: Turning AI Standards into Practice and Certification 12 Mar - Exploring how the EU AI Act translates harmonized standards into real-world AI testing and certification. Discover how the EU AI Act moves from regulatory text to technical implementation — and what this means for organisations developing and deploying AI systems.

EuroCC 2 & CoEs & CASTIEL 2 Intermediate Conference in Slovakia

Amidst the picturesque landscape of the Slovak High Tatra Mountains, the members of European National Competence Centres and Centres of Excellence met during the all-hands meeting to discuss the project development and show the progress that has been made.

The sessions started on Monday, April 22 with a warm welcome from the Project Management Team and the local hosts from NCC Slovakia. Discussions then covered recent development and information from the project first year review and then continued with identification of synergies between NCCs and CoEs, laying the groundwork for collaborative endeavors and knowledge exchange. The discussions were not just theoretical, they were practical blueprints for fostering cohesion and maximizing impact within the EuroCC 2 ecosystem.

On the second day, the focus shifted towards practical matters of funding, competencies, and strategic planning. Workshops on budget allocation with CASTIEL 2 and discussions on the competencies of NCCs and CoEs provided invaluable insights into the financial and intellectual scaffolding necessary for sustainable growth.

The conference was a testament to the diversity of the EuroCC 2 community. From thematic clusters to industry approaches and training baselines, participants delved deep into the intricacies of their respective domains, forging connections and laying the groundwork for future collaborations.

The participants also had the opportunity to stretch their legs during an excursion around the Štrbské pleso lake, fostering camaraderie and strengthening bonds beyond the confines of conference rooms.

Lecture on HPC, AI and Career Opportunities 15 Mar - At the Faculty of Commerce of the University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA), a guest lecture was held on 10 March 2026 focusing on current trends in high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and career opportunities in the digital environment.

AI and Supercomputers in Practice: A Lecture for TUKE Students 13 Mar - On 5 March 2026, an expert lecture by Dr. Lucia Malíčková from the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) took place at the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), titled “Can Supercomputers and Artificial Intelligence Be Useful?”. The event was held in lecture hall PK7 in a hybrid format (both online and in person) and was attended by 110 TUKE students.

Accountability by Design: Turning AI Standards into Practice and Certification 12 Mar - Exploring how the EU AI Act translates harmonized standards into real-world AI testing and certification. Discover how the EU AI Act moves from regulatory text to technical implementation — and what this means for organisations developing and deploying AI systems.

Inovačné centrum INOVIA a Národné kompetenčné centrum pre HPC: Nová spolupráca a komplexnejšia ponuka pre slovenské firmy

V Národnom kompetenčnom centre pre HPC sa tešíme z nášho nového partnerstva s Inovačným centrom INOVIA v Žiline. Toto spojenie predstavuje významný míľnik v misii NCC pre HPC propagovať a podporovať adopciu vysokovýkonných výpočtových technológií naprieč slovenskými regiónmi a hospodárskymi sektormi. Využitie takýchto pokročilých digitálnych technológií je vo svete čoraz bežnejšie, napríklad pri pokročilých numerických simuláciách, spracovaní veľkých objemov dát a tiež pri vývoji modelov umelej inteligencie.

INOVIA sa stala prvým ambasádorom NCC pre HPC, a spoločnými silami sa budeme snažiť zvyšovať povedomie o užitočnosti HPC nástrojov a ich prínosoch pre inovácie nielen vo vede a priemysle, ale v malých a stredných podnikoch.

NCC pre HPC bude poskytovať znalosti a know-how širšej komunite prostredníctvom workshopov a školení. Klienti INOVIA tiež môžu získať prístup k odbornej pomoci a podpore pri rôznych výskumných alebo vývojových projektoch.

Tešíme sa na spoločné projekty a spoluprácu a veríme, že kombináciou našich silných stránok pomôžeme slovenským firmám v digitalizácii a inováciách! Ak máte akékoľvek otázky alebo záujem o viac informácií, neváhajte nás kontaktovať.

Lecture on HPC, AI and Career Opportunities 15 Mar - At the Faculty of Commerce of the University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA), a guest lecture was held on 10 March 2026 focusing on current trends in high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and career opportunities in the digital environment.

AI and Supercomputers in Practice: A Lecture for TUKE Students 13 Mar - On 5 March 2026, an expert lecture by Dr. Lucia Malíčková from the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) took place at the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), titled “Can Supercomputers and Artificial Intelligence Be Useful?”. The event was held in lecture hall PK7 in a hybrid format (both online and in person) and was attended by 110 TUKE students.

Accountability by Design: Turning AI Standards into Practice and Certification 12 Mar - Exploring how the EU AI Act translates harmonized standards into real-world AI testing and certification. Discover how the EU AI Act moves from regulatory text to technical implementation — and what this means for organisations developing and deploying AI systems.

Uses of HPC for SMEs

On March 19th, an event titled Discover the Potential of the Supercomputer in Practicetook place in Bratislava, bringing together experts from the National Competence Center for High-Performance Computing (NCC) and the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SOPK), thereby opening new horizons for collaboration with businesses utilizing big data, simulations, artificial intelligence in development or manufacturing technology.

The goal of the event was a meeting with experts from the NCC, during which participants had a unique opportunity to learn more about the benefits and possibilities of utilizing high-performance computing in their businesses. Companies were able to familiarize themselves with how modern technologies and high-performance computing could help make computational processes and data processing more efficient. Successful collaborative projects from the NCC portfolio were showcased, demonstrating the tangible benefits of HPC for selected enterprises.

The services of the National Competence Center for HPC were presented by Lucia Demovičová, who leads the NCC and focuses on collaboration with small and medium-sized enterprises, and Michal Pitoňák, an expert on mapping the HPC ecosystem and implementing pilot projects. Participants had the opportunity to discuss their specific needs with experts as well as to explore possibilities for future collaborations.

Experts also informed about the possibilities, availability, and conditions of using HPC services in Slovakia and Europe. A beneficial piece of information was the opportunity to utilize a testing allocation of HPC resources and the involvement of businesses in free pilot projects, which represents an interesting opportunity for SMEs to adopt HPC without the need for large initial investments. Part of the event was a tour of the Devana supercomputer, providing participants with a unique insight into the world of high-performance computing. ktorá účastníkom poskytla unikátny pohľad do sveta vysokovýkonných výpočtov.

Lecture on HPC, AI and Career Opportunities 15 Mar - At the Faculty of Commerce of the University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA), a guest lecture was held on 10 March 2026 focusing on current trends in high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and career opportunities in the digital environment.

AI and Supercomputers in Practice: A Lecture for TUKE Students 13 Mar - On 5 March 2026, an expert lecture by Dr. Lucia Malíčková from the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) took place at the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), titled “Can Supercomputers and Artificial Intelligence Be Useful?”. The event was held in lecture hall PK7 in a hybrid format (both online and in person) and was attended by 110 TUKE students.

Accountability by Design: Turning AI Standards into Practice and Certification 12 Mar - Exploring how the EU AI Act translates harmonized standards into real-world AI testing and certification. Discover how the EU AI Act moves from regulatory text to technical implementation — and what this means for organisations developing and deploying AI systems.