Final Report Summary - CX-CMCS (Centre of Excellence for Computational Modeling of Complex Systems)
The basic strategic objective of the CX-CMCS project was to transform the Scientific Computing Laboratory (SCL) of the Institute of Physics Belgrade (IPB) into a centre of excellence, i.e. to decisively increase the quality of research conducted at SCL, and make it a preferred WB research partner for EU institutions working in the fields of simulation of complex systems and of grid technology.
The outlined analysis has resulted in the following five specific objectives:
1. enhance quality of research and development (R&D) at the SCL;
2. expand and mobilise human resources;
3. reinforce existing Science and Technology (S&T) capacities at SCL;
4. enhance mobility and integration into ERA;
5. contribute to the reinforcing of Information Communications Technology (ICT) capacities at the national level.
The specific objectives for CX-CMCS have been formulated through an analysis of the following key points:
1. wider developmental objectives of the Republic of Serbia and the West Balkan region pertaining to research and development;
2. existing strengths and weaknesses at SCL and the high performance computing sector in Serbia including: professional resources, material resources, financial and organisational resources, principle impediments;
3. assessment of availability of graduate students and young researchers that could be newly employed at SCL;
4. assessment of indirect social impacts of the process of strengthening of SCL and its efficient integration into a wider European R&D effort.
The project was structured into five work packages (WPs), as follows:
WP1 - Project management.
Within WP1 an efficient and lightweight project management structure was established within the first year of the project. Periodic activity and management reports were produced and submitted on time. All project deliverables were prepared in time and all but one milestones met.
WP 2 - Reinforcing research capacity.
The planned reinforcement of SCL's research capacity had two aims: human capacity building (through the hiring of young researchers), and reinforcement of existing material resources (upgrading of the existing high tech computing infrastructure). The first goal builds on SCL's strong outreach to students in physics and computer sciences. The second goal of the capacity reinforcement work package was to upgrade the existing computing infrastructure.
WP 3 - Mobility and training.
The planned mobility, training and networking consisted of exchange of personnel, research results, and the setting up and performing of joint numerical experiments. The extended mobility, training and networking was successfully continued through the third period. The primary way that this expanded mobility was made possible was through careful planning and always looking for the possibilities to obtain additional funds and discounts.
WP 4 - Dissemination and visibility.
It was determined that the dissemination and visibility work package needed to address four distinct audiences: the EU research community; the research community in Serbia; the wider public in Serbia; the relevant policy makers at local and national levels. The key venue for obtaining information about the CX-CMCS project and the research conducted at SCL was the project's web site (please see http://cx-cmcs.phy.bg.ac.yu/ online) along with the SCL web site (please see http://scl.phy.bg.ac.yu online). More detailed information on all SCL activities can now be found on SCL's web site http://www.scl.rs. Along with the SCL web site, the key additional venue for obtaining information about the CX-CMCS project is now at http://cx-cmcs.ipb.ac.rs/.
WP 5 - Benchmarking and policy development.
The only activity within this WP that was planned for the first reporting period was the constituting of the CX-CMCS project International Advisory Board (IAB). The IAB is made up of leading researchers from EU partner institutions and their expertise, insight and recommendations is expected to help in the creation of a long-term development strategy for the SCL.
The project results were disseminated through a number of activities, including presentations in seminars, scientific papers and publications, articles, workshops, trainings and the internet.
The outlined analysis has resulted in the following five specific objectives:
1. enhance quality of research and development (R&D) at the SCL;
2. expand and mobilise human resources;
3. reinforce existing Science and Technology (S&T) capacities at SCL;
4. enhance mobility and integration into ERA;
5. contribute to the reinforcing of Information Communications Technology (ICT) capacities at the national level.
The specific objectives for CX-CMCS have been formulated through an analysis of the following key points:
1. wider developmental objectives of the Republic of Serbia and the West Balkan region pertaining to research and development;
2. existing strengths and weaknesses at SCL and the high performance computing sector in Serbia including: professional resources, material resources, financial and organisational resources, principle impediments;
3. assessment of availability of graduate students and young researchers that could be newly employed at SCL;
4. assessment of indirect social impacts of the process of strengthening of SCL and its efficient integration into a wider European R&D effort.
The project was structured into five work packages (WPs), as follows:
WP1 - Project management.
Within WP1 an efficient and lightweight project management structure was established within the first year of the project. Periodic activity and management reports were produced and submitted on time. All project deliverables were prepared in time and all but one milestones met.
WP 2 - Reinforcing research capacity.
The planned reinforcement of SCL's research capacity had two aims: human capacity building (through the hiring of young researchers), and reinforcement of existing material resources (upgrading of the existing high tech computing infrastructure). The first goal builds on SCL's strong outreach to students in physics and computer sciences. The second goal of the capacity reinforcement work package was to upgrade the existing computing infrastructure.
WP 3 - Mobility and training.
The planned mobility, training and networking consisted of exchange of personnel, research results, and the setting up and performing of joint numerical experiments. The extended mobility, training and networking was successfully continued through the third period. The primary way that this expanded mobility was made possible was through careful planning and always looking for the possibilities to obtain additional funds and discounts.
WP 4 - Dissemination and visibility.
It was determined that the dissemination and visibility work package needed to address four distinct audiences: the EU research community; the research community in Serbia; the wider public in Serbia; the relevant policy makers at local and national levels. The key venue for obtaining information about the CX-CMCS project and the research conducted at SCL was the project's web site (please see http://cx-cmcs.phy.bg.ac.yu/ online) along with the SCL web site (please see http://scl.phy.bg.ac.yu online). More detailed information on all SCL activities can now be found on SCL's web site http://www.scl.rs. Along with the SCL web site, the key additional venue for obtaining information about the CX-CMCS project is now at http://cx-cmcs.ipb.ac.rs/.
WP 5 - Benchmarking and policy development.
The only activity within this WP that was planned for the first reporting period was the constituting of the CX-CMCS project International Advisory Board (IAB). The IAB is made up of leading researchers from EU partner institutions and their expertise, insight and recommendations is expected to help in the creation of a long-term development strategy for the SCL.
The project results were disseminated through a number of activities, including presentations in seminars, scientific papers and publications, articles, workshops, trainings and the internet.
