Pisa Hosts Groundbreaking Conference on Supercomputing’s Future

PISA, Italy — The University of Pisa hosted a two-day conference on February 18-19, 2025, to discuss advancements in supercomputing in Italy. Scientists and researchers from the Italian Center for Supercomputing (ICSC), backed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), shared initial results from their ongoing projects, focusing on ‘Multiscale Modeling and Engineering Applications’.

The ICSC is at the forefront of high-performance computing, big data analytics, and innovative simulation techniques. Its research is crucial for enhancing computational strategies across various scientific and engineering sectors. The center is jointly coordinated by the University of Pisa and the Sapienza University of Rome.

“Our university plays a pivotal role within the ICSC, with four distinct research initiatives, including one where we co-lead alongside Sapienza,” said Benedetta Mennucci, pro-rector for research promotion at the University of Pisa. “This collaboration includes seven departments coordinated by the Information Engineering Department, demonstrating Pisa’s longstanding commitment to high-performance computing through effective algorithm development and computational code implementation.”

The conference served as a critical platform for showcasing significant research achievements, particularly in engineering, and fostering discussions about the challenges posed by future technological advancements, including quantum technologies.

Sergio Saponara, director of the Information Engineering Department, emphasized the importance of a national network integrating advanced computing infrastructures. “The project unites computing centers from various universities, including Pisa, and industries, along with supercomputer Leonardo and Italy’s first quantum computers,” Saponara explained. “This will allow us to meet the challenges of leveraging digital technologies for societal benefit, aligning with the goals of Industry 5.0.”

The ICSC connects universities, research institutions, and industries, which all participated in the conference. Initial demonstrators are being developed to address research challenges identified through collaboration between academia and industry, supported by innovation grants.

“The creation of the Center arose from the urgent need to integrate research and industry, ensuring Europe remains competitive,” said Francesco Ubertini, vice president of ICSC and president of CINECA. “The center aims to create value for its member universities, companies, and research institutions, enhancing Italy’s capacity to translate frontier research into technological innovation. Italy ranks third globally in supercomputing, following the USA and Japan.”