The International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis
The International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis
Workshop: 12th SC Workshop on Best Practices for HPC Training and Education
Authors: Bryan Johnston (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC), South Africa); Nicholas Thorne (Dell); Matthew Cawood (Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC)); Eugene de Beste (Independent); David Macleod (CSIR); and John Poole (Clemson University)
Abstract: The Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC), South Africa’s national supercomputing facility, launched the Student Cluster Competition (SCC) in 2012 to build HPC awareness and skills among undergraduates. Twenty teams of four students began with an intensive week of training in Linux, cluster design, and system administration. Finalists advanced to a live challenge with self-built clusters, and the top teams represented South Africa at the International SCC at ISC in Germany. From the outset, the program emphasized diversity and inclusion, recruiting from historically disadvantaged communities and addressing key knowledge gaps in HPC system design, administration, and optimization. This rapid teaching model enabled students with little prior exposure to achieve international success: South African teams placed in the top three globally for seven consecutive years. This paper details the competition’s structure, training methods, and outcomes, highlighting its evolution into a recognized platform for inclusive HPC education and global competitiveness.
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