HPC Serbia plays a central role in fostering regional cooperation throughout Southeast Europe by linking national competence centers, research institutions, and industry partners within the wider EuroCC and EuroHPC frameworks. Initiatives like EuroCC4SEE allow HPC Serbia to enhance cross-border collaborations in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and data-driven research. This regional effort facilitates knowledge sharing, joint training, and the integration of local infrastructures into European HPC and AI networks, granting researchers from Serbia and nearby countries access to advanced computational tools and expertise. By encouraging interoperability, open science, and sustainable digital progress, HPC Serbia helps create a unified and competitive regional HPC and AI ecosystem aligned with European goals.
Recently, we welcomed our colleagues from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Belgrade and took the opportunity to speak with Ana Lalović from the Verlab Institute and NCC Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ana shared insights into the country’s growing HPC ecosystem. "High-performance computing is currently being developed in Bosnia and Herzegovina through a national competence center", she explained, adding that the NCC results from a partnership between Verlab Ltd and the Verlab Institute.
Despite facing certain challenges, the team has made significant progress in promoting HPC awareness. "We are trying to raise awareness about its benefits. In 2024, we organized 12 workshops, with more than 500 participants", Ana said, emphasizing the center's outreach and educational activities.
One of the NCC's early achievements involves collaboration with Bosnalijek, the leading pharmaceutical company in the country. "We provided consultancy services for Bosnalijek in advanced molecular dynamics simulations. The main goal was to enhance the drugs that already exist, for better efficacy and stability", she noted.
Looking ahead, the NCC Bosnia and Herzegovina is also investing in education and research development. "We co-created two project proposals, and one of them is for developing and implementing master's and PhD programs. We hope that it will be funded soon", Ana concluded, highlighting the NCC's commitment to building a sustainable HPC community in the region.
