King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has officially revealed its latest supercomputing marvel, Shaheen III. Confirmed by TOP500, a voice in supercomputer statistics, Shaheen III is named as the Middle East’s most powerful supercomputer and has also secured the 20th spot in global rankings. This is set to redefine the landscape of scientific research and computational capabilities.
Manufactured by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Shaheen III stands out with a processing speed six times faster than its predecessor, Shaheen II. The supercomputer’s capabilities outpace the combined processing power of 500,000 of the latest-generation MacBook Pros, showcasing its computational prowess.
Use case of KAUST’s supercomputer
Based on HPE Cray EX supercomputer architecture, which also fuels three of the world’s top 10 systems, Shaheen III is designed for unparalleled performance and scalability. KAUST plans to leverage its capabilities for the construction and testing of predictive mathematical models across various fields, from scientific discovery to engineering design and policy support.
Dr. Tony F. Chan, President of KAUST, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Shaheen III takes KAUST’s world-class research capabilities to the next level through its processing power and ability to create models across many fields in a short period of time.”
The supercomputer’s role extends beyond research, as it is poised to play a crucial part in supporting sustainability campaigns, particularly those related to the National Centre for Climate Change and initiatives aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for sustainable development.
Professor David Keyes, KAUST’s Founding Dean, highlighted the integral role of supercomputing in the institution’s DNA, noting the shift from computational approaches lagging behind to leading scientific endeavours.
Deployment of Shaheen III
Shaheen III’s deployment in its initial phase will focus on superpowering research in areas contributing to sustainability goals, including materials, catalysis, alternative fuels, carbon sequestration, and bioinformatics. The high-resolution modelling capabilities of Shaheen III will be applied to fields such as atmospheric and ocean dynamics, aerodynamics engineering, and advanced noninvasive imaging for applications ranging from petroleum reservoir discovery to medical diagnostics.
As KAUST’s full programme for Shaheen III is set to be delivered by the end of 2024, the university solidifies its position as one of the world’s leading supercomputing centres. With over 66 per cent of KAUST’s faculty groups currently engaged in supercomputer activity on Shaheen II, the percentage is expected to rise even higher with the introduction of Shaheen III, marking a new era in the institution’s commitment to scientific discovery and innovation.
