The Central Committee of China and the State Council have released the “Overall Layout Plan for the Construction of Digital China,” emphasising the optimisation of computing power infrastructure and promoting synergy between different regions. This plan aims to establish data centres, supercomputing centres, and intelligent computing centres across the country.
The Ministry of Science and Technology is also involved in building a national computing power base through the supercomputing Internet. This initiative aims to enhance scientific and technological innovation and support economic and social development.
Colleges and universities in China have made rapid progress in developing computing power services. Many institutions have established computing power centres, offering various services like high-performance computing clusters, virtualised cloud computing platforms, and self-developed data centres. Key universities have well-established models for construction and operation, while others are still in the growth stage, increasing investment in computing power.
Universities also face increasing demands from users, who require cost-effective, on-demand, and secure computing power services. These services should include resource sharing, cloud computing, and comprehensive solutions.
Computing power services play a crucial role in supporting scientific research, teaching, and management in universities. In the context of digital transformation in higher education, computing power services have become indispensable for universities to meet their computing resource and technical support needs.
Regarding scientific research support, computing power platforms provide universities with efficient and reliable environments for researchers. These platforms offer abundant computing resources for simulations, calculations, and data processing, enhancing research efficiency and outcomes.
In terms of teaching support, computing power services enable universities to quickly establish online education platforms, virtual classrooms, and personalised teaching plans. Students benefit from richer learning experiences, online communication, and interactive learning.
Computing power services also contribute to effective course management and resource organisation. Shanghai Jiaotong University, for instance, integrates computing power into teaching and offers high-quality computing services to enhance students’ learning experience and teachers’ outcomes.
Additionally, computing power services facilitate the digitisation and informatisation of education, teaching, student management, and course management, simplifying operations and improving efficiency in these areas.
Colleges and universities, being at the forefront of AI research, recognise the importance of computing centres or supercomputing centres to meet these requirements. The integration of supercomputing power and intelligent computing power is crucial for AI-related projects. Universities are encouraged to consider building integrated platforms for artificial intelligence and supercomputing to accelerate research and development and the application of AI.
To further advance computing power services in colleges and universities, several key areas need attention. Firstly, there should be a focus on team building by assembling a dedicated research and management team. Collaboration between computer science and application industry experts is important for the effective provision of computing services.
Secondly, the choice of construction mode is crucial. Placing the school-level computing power platform within the network centre or information centre allows for better service provision, neutrality, and improved coordination and management.
Thirdly, institutional mechanism construction is necessary. Merely purchasing machines and equipment is insufficient for effective computing power development. The establishment of systems and mechanisms plays a vital role.
Discouraging decentralised construction and encouraging resource sharing and utilisation can be achieved through policies that limit independent purchases by departments.
Fourthly, software construction is important to facilitate the use of computing power in traditional disciplines.
Emphasising domestic computing technology and independent innovation can pave the way for future advancements. Computing power services have the potential to bring about significant transformation in universities and should be approached strategically in the context of digital transformation.
