Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa (SA), handed over a High Performing Computing (HPC) System to the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology Hon.
Tsoinyane Rapapa at the Data Centre in Mohale’s Hoek last Thursday. This official hand over was preceded by a brief workshop with involved stakeholders in Maseru
before heading to Mohale’s Hoek. Speaking at the event, Centre for High Performance Computing Lead Bryan Johnston indicated that High Performance Computing is the ability to process data and perform complex
calculations at high speeds. Johnston said one of the best-known types of HPC solutions is the supercomputer. “A supercomputer contains thousands of compute nodes that work together to
complete one or more tasks. This is called parallel processing. It is similar to having thousands of Personal Computers networked together, combining compute
power to complete tasks faster,” he highlighted. Johnston said HPC is important in that it is through data that ground-breaking scientific discoveries are made, game-changing innovations are fuelled and quality of life
is improved for billions of people around the globe. He further disclosed that HPC is the foundation for scientific, industrial and societal advancements.
From the National University of Lesotho (NUL) Dr. Lerato Lerato expressed gratitude to the Centre for High Performance in South Africa on behalf of the Research
Community. Dr. Lerato said this High Performance Computing will go a long way in helping the country achieve all that needs to be achieved. He also urged for
more support towards NUL Innovation Hub. Joining virtually, Southern African Development Community (SADC) Senior Programme Officer Anneline Morgan congratulated Lesotho for the long walk as she said
this journey started 5/6 years ago. She said SADC recognized the continuous trainings of experts to facilitate HPC. Morgan also encouraged Lesotho to make
use of this facility and to avoid at all costs to make it a white elephant. On behalf of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation SA, Lindiwe Gama, a Deputy
Director of the Department of science and Innovation expressed delight over being part of HPC project. She said SA and Lesotho relations have been going
for long time and as SA they hope Lesotho grows to greater heights. Gama revealed that Malawi launched its HPC through the assistance of SA too. She advised Lesotho to offer continuous capacity buildings to the youth on
sustainability and development. The Minister of communication, Science and Technology Hon. Tsoinyana Rapapa pointed out that Lesotho and SA have a long
history of cooperation in various fields through the Joint Bilateral Cooperation Commission (JBCC) and in the science and technology field through the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding.
“I have been informed that the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) has been
offering support in setting up the facility and has also offered training to Lesotho system administrators and technicians, and this is much appreciated.
This has gone a long way in making us ready to fully benefit from the HPC facility. We are looking forward to having some of the officials visit the HPC
Facility in Cape Town for hands on training. It is our intention to have certified HPC administrators and technicians to manage the system on a fulltime
basis,” Hon. Rapapa emphasized. “I would like to urge our researchers, and various ministries to fully utilise the system. There might be hiccups in the
beginning, but I assure you that we will get there. Finally, I must appreciate the experts from the National University of Lesotho who took time to assist with this project, this
is greatly appreciated. We should find a way to normalise our working relations to make this project a bigger success. I must also appreciate the Department of
Science and Technology and the ICT Department for working hard in collaboration with their South African counterparts and the NUL experts for getting us to this important milestone,” Hon. Minister concluded.
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