On 11 October 2024, an important milestone for the European supercomputing community took place in Lugano, Switzerland. At a ceremony, the first 18 graduates of the pioneering EUMaster4HPC master's programme received their diplomas. The two-year programme, funded by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, educates the elite in high performance computing (HPC) and prepares them for future key roles in academia and industry.
After two years of combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience, EUMaster4HPC graduates are ready to embrace a future full of opportunities. Whether as application developers, supercomputer administrators, data analysts, or user support specialists, they are poised to play a key role in advancing HPC technologies that will shape the world – from cutting-edge research to industrial applications.
Two-year Master's programme full of innovation
The EUMaster4HPC programme blends modern education with hands-on experience at a European level. In the first year, students explored HPC fundamentals like parallel computing, algorithm optimisation, and performance analysis. The second year then shifted focus to specialised areas, such as supercomputing system design or technology implementation. The collaboration between top European universities, research institutions and supercomputing centres - including the Czech national supercomputing centre IT4Innovations – ensured that the students gained both academic knowledge and valuable practical experience through workshops and internships.
Student mobility and European cooperation
One of the key advantages of the EUMaster4HPC programme is the opportunity for students to study and live in several European cities. Students begin their studies at one of eight universities located in Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Bulgaria, Switzerland, or Sweden and then move to a different university in the second year based on their specialisation.
Participation in the pan-European EuroHPC meetings in Gothenburg and Antwerp offered students unique networking opportunities and valuable insights into HPC practices. Anders Dam Jensen, Executive Director of the EuroHPC JU, remarked at the graduation ceremony, "The graduation of this first group of students is a great source of pride for the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and I look forward to more graduations in the future. Without talented and highly skilled professionals like you, it is impossible to build a world-class supercomputing infrastructure in Europe. You are the future of European supercomputing and our greatest asset!"
An opportunity for new students
Applications for the next cohort (2025/26) will open at the end of October 2024. Interested students can apply for a Mobility Scholarship to help cover their study expenses. Thanks to IT4Innovations' involvement in the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, Czech students can also receive financial support to cover travel, accommodation, and study costs. This is a unique opportunity for those looking to shape the future of supercomputing and contribute to the development of technologies that will drive progress not only in Europe but across the globe.
EUMaster4HPC website: https://eumaster4hpc.eu/
EuroHPC JU press release: https://eurohpc-ju.europa.eu/inaugural-class-graduates-eu-master-programme-hpc-shaping-future-supercomputing-europe-2024-10-11_en
Below is a photo gallery showcasing events where EUMaster4HPC students actively participated. Highlights include EuroHPC summits, where they teamed up with IT4Innovations representatives, helped present our supercomputing infrastructure, and engaged in Demo Lab activities. You'll also find photos from the Summer School organised by IT4Innovations in 2024, where future graduates of the programme expanded their expertise in HPC.
