Workshops Archive

Building Scalable and Inclusive Foundations for HPC: Lessons from UC Merced’s Introductory HPC Training Program

Workshop: 12th SC Workshop on Best Practices for HPC Training and Education

Authors: Yue Yu (University of California, Merced)

Abstract: High-performance computing (HPC) is increasingly vital across diverse disciplines, including those historically underrepresented in computational research, such as sociology, psychology, and the arts. To lower barriers to entry, the University of California, Merced (UC Merced) created a 90-minute introductory HPC workshop requiring no prior technical background. The workshop combines a theoretical overview of campus clusters, Linux basics, and HPC concepts with a hands-on session where participants connect via SSH and browser-based tools, load software modules, and submit jobs using Slurm. Offered in a hybrid format with synchronous and asynchronous materials, the program has been delivered over 20 times since 2021, serving primarily students (75.7%), faculty (16.2%), and staff. Post-workshop surveys show 83% of attendees are more likely to use HPC, contributing to a doubling of active campus users. This scalable, inclusive model effectively broadens HPC adoption and fosters computational engagement across disciplines.

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