Florida Polytechnic University, IBM Create Supercomputing Center

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Florida Polytechnic University and IBM are creating a university based supercomputing center. The effort will follow other state’s in bringing in universities as research hubs for in-demand professions. Florida Polytechnic University is the newest addition to the State University System of Florida and the only one dedicated exclusively to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Florida Polytechnic University will welcome its inaugural class of 500 students in August.

The center, which is being developed with the support of IBM, will house an IBM supercomputer and is designed to provide students with an opportunity to receive hands-on training and experience using high performance computing systems. The supercomputing center will support concentrations at Florida Polytechnic University such as Cybersecurity, Big Data & Analytics, Cloud Virtualization and other engineering and computer science emphases as well as being harnessed for research projects led by faculty members and graduate students.

Florida Polytechnic University is the 12th state sponsored university in Florida and the only one focused entirely on STEM education and research. Upon opening in August, Florida Polytechnic University will have two colleges, six undergraduate degree programs, two master’s programs and 19 cutting-edge concentrations.

The 2,500-square-foot supercomputing center is located at the heart of campus, enclosed in glass rooms so students, faculty and visitors can observe the work being done with the systems.

“Florida Polytechnic University’s STEM-based mission is directly aligned with the business models of IBM and Flagship, and it has been very satisfying to work with the leadership at those two firms to make the Supercomputer happen on an expeditious timeline,” said Tom Hull, Vice President and CIO for Florida Polytechnic University.

IBM recently announced a separate partnership with 28 Universities and Business Schools to help train tomorrow’s data scientists. Other efforts in Maryland and Virginia are working to bring local universities into the cybersecurity economy by becoming research hubs.