New computer age dawns for Bulgaria
Research environments are competitive if equipped with advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) for computationally intensive data processing. Such an ICT infrastructure also needs to be tailored to the needs of its users to lay the groundwork for cutting-edge research with innovative applications. The objectives of the EU-funded ACOMIN(opens in new window) (Advanced Computing for Innovation) project included providing the IICT with the most modern ICT facilities. The project enabled the institute to purchase advanced 'smart lab' equipment for modelling particles dynamics and advanced signal processing. Ensuring working conditions comparable to those in European Centres of Excellence, the IICT attracted seven experienced researchers who have contributed to its success. Today, it hosts strong groups working in fields such as parallel and distributed algorithms, linguistic and semantic technologies, pattern recognition, intelligent and hierarchical systems, and signal processing. Overall the upgraded ICT infrastructure together with reinforced human resources has successfully enhanced the Institute's RTD capability and improved the quality of its research. Numerous high-level projects and partnerships emerged as a result of the project’s efforts in areas such as material analysis, audio processing and 3D modelling and simulation, as well as AComIn-related topics. Also noteworthy are the institute’s collaboration projects for joint research and development involving academic partners, private companies and the public sector. This led to the filing of several patents and inventions. Valuable knowledge was disseminated through ACOMIN’s project results to Bulgarian companies and public sector institutions that further innovation. Moreover, project outcomes that highlight the IICT’s capabilities were disseminated through international conferences, workshops and scientific papers. Thanks to the ACOMIN project, the IICT has formed long-lasting partnerships with other European research groups active in ICT research. Better integrated with the European Research Area (ERA), the Institute now contributes effectively to high-technology development and helps stimulate economic activity in north-eastern Europe.
