Integration of Science and Production: ENU supercomputer is launched in Akkol

Today, the launch ceremony of the updated PARAM BILIM 2 supercomputer and the Scientific and Practical Conference “Digital Transformation of Kazakhstan” took place in Akkol, Akmola region.

The ceremonial launch of the PARAM BILIM-2 supercomputer of The L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University took place in Akkol, Akmola region. The event was attended by Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of RK Dinara Shcheglova, Rector of The Eurasian National University Yerlan Sydykov, Chairman of the Management Board of the JSC “Republican Center for Space Communications” Malik Zhuiriktayev, Akim of Akkol district Birzhan Abdrakhmanov, representatives of “Kazakhtelecom” JSC, the university faculty and scientists.

The updated supercomputer was put into operation as part of the execution by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the instruction of the Head of State on the need to develop a national high-performance computing infrastructure. It is planned that, along with scientists and students of The L.N. Gumilyov ENU, the capabilities of the supercomputer will be used in joint applied projects of the university with “Kazakhtelecom” JSC, in the Data Processing Center of which PARAM BILIM-2 is located.

As Dinara Shcheglova, Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of RK, noted at the launch ceremony:

“Through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of RK, The Eurasian National University, and the Government of India, whose gift is a supercomputer, the computing power of the supercomputer has been significantly expanded in a short time. Now it is necessary to provide access to it for all researchers who need to develop solutions in the fields of artificial intelligence, language models, big data, the Internet of things, quantum technologies, post-quantum cryptography in supercomputing.”

The PARAM BILIM 2 supercomputer is a modern computing complex with peak performance of up to 1 PetaFlops. It has High Performance Computing (HPC) software platforms developed by the Indian C-DAC center.

PARAM BILIM 2 is already used for modeling and analytical calculations in more than 30 scientific fields, including artificial intelligence, language models, big data, the Internet of Things, quantum technologies and post-quantum cryptography. Negotiations are also underway with international developers to expand the functionality of the supercomputer.

The project was implemented jointly by the Ministries of Science and Higher Education, Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, The L.N. Gumilyov ENU, as well as “Kazakhtelecom” JSC.

After the launch of the supercomputer, the events continued at the “Republican Center for Space Communications” JSC, where a plenary session of the scientific and practical conference “Digital Transformation of Kazakhstan” was held.

The conference discussed key areas of the country’s digital development: from the construction of telecommunications and ICT infrastructures to the introduction of satellite technologies, solutions in the field of cybersecurity and digitalization of the economy. The issues of training specialists in the field of information technology and the prospects for creating digital clusters were also considered.

Rector of The Eurasian National University Yerlan Sydykov noted during his speech that the Akmola region has a unique potential for transformation into a center of innovation, and the upgraded PARAM BILIM 2 will undoubtedly become a catalyst for scientific and technological activity in the region, attracting the attention of researchers and entrepreneurs.

“ENU has established ties with the Data Processing Center in Akkol: there is a branch of the Institute of Physical and Technical Sciences Department of the University, where ENU students annually practice. 

At the recent National Kurultai, the Head of State spoke about the creation of a science city in Kazakhstan. It is quite possible that in the near future we will witness the appearance of a science city on the territory of Akkol.

The PARAM BILIM 2 supercomputer is designed not only for ENU scientists and students, we are open to all researchers who wish to use the power of this supercomputer. This is a national treasure,” Yerlan Sydykov stressed.

ENU Rector also thanked “Kazakhtelecom” company which provided free space and maintenance for the supercomputer.

Akim of Akkol district Birzhan Abdrakhmanov announced his intention to develop a science city project in Akkol together with The L.N. Gumilyov ENU. He added that the akimat will provide all possible support.

In order to improve the quality of personnel training and strengthen the link between science and real sector, an agreement was signed at the conference to open a branch of the Information Technology Faculty of The L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University on the basis of the “Republican Center for Space Communications” JSC. The opening of the branch will strengthen the interaction between science and high-tech industry, contributing to the training of highly qualified personnel and implementation of joint educational and research projects.

Malik Zhuiriktayev, Chairman of the Management Board of the “Republican Center for Space Communications” JSC, emphasized during his speech:

“The issue of training specialists is very important for us. This is the creation of our personnel reserve and professional development of our specialists. Considering that we are a high-tech company, we take this issue seriously. We have a successful experience of cooperation with The Eurasian National University. A branch of the ENU department operates on the basis of our separate building,” the speaker said.

Также в ходе мероприятия состоялась презентация научной монографии декана факультета информационных технологий ЕНУ Шахмарана Сеилова - «Современные задачи развития телекоммуникационных сетей». Работа посвящена современным вызовам в области связи, цифровизации и внедрения передовых решений в телекоммуникационной отрасли Казахстана и мира.

Moreover, the event included a presentation of the scientific monograph of the Dean of ENU’s Faculty of Information Technology Shakhmaran Seilov, “Modern Challenges in the Development of Telecommunications Networks”. The work is devoted to modern challenges in the field of communications, digitalization and introduction of advanced solutions in the telecommunications industry of Kazakhstan and the world.

The conference participants took the initiative to create a science city in Akkol focused on digital technologies, artificial intelligence and quantum research. Among the proposals are the construction of a specialized engineering school for gifted children with the participation of teachers from scientific and industry organizations, development of tourism and renovation of cultural and historical sites in the region.

The launch of the supercomputer and the conference confirmed the strategic importance of the synergy among science, business and government in developing the country’s digital potential. Akkol has emerged as a promising platform for building a regional innovation cluster and implementing advanced digital solutions that can accelerate Kazakhstan’s transformation into a technologically advanced state.