HiPEAC futures
HiPEAC: Mobility across b Since 2004, HiPEAC has been at the vanguard of European computing systems research. As a focal point for networking and collaboration between researchers, industry and policymakers, HiPEAC has grown year on year, and has been able to support vital researcher mobility throughout Europe. António Louro of Barcelona Supercomputing Center looks at what the trends have been and what’s to come.
The HiPEAC mobility schemes have facilitated and improved collaboration between academia and research institutes and industry, with students having the opportunity to get hands-on experience and develop their work in new and different environments. Mobility is extremely important for research, as it not only allows researchers to get feedback and input from professionals in other sectors and areas of expertise, but also provides an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in often real case scenarios or at least in a practical setup. These ventures have proven to be fruitful. Since 2006, more than 350 people have been supported by HiPEAC mobility schemes. Many of the young PhD and graduate students who previously took part in these activities are now esteemed professionals, established senior researchers, and project managers. They therefore form an unofficial network of HiPEAC ambassadors, continuing to be involved in the network, and promoting its services and activities in their communities. Currently, HiPEAC offers two mobility activities: Internships and Collaboration Grants. While the Internships programme aims to develop recent graduate and PhD students through a first professional experience in industry, the Collaboration Grants are more focused on research, allowing students to continue and complement their research in a different institution. Participants in both schemes wrap up their placement by writing a report about the work developed, which in the case of Collaboration Grants often leads to publications.
Mobility in 2020 In 2020, the world stood still. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel industry came to a halt and the old European borders rose once again to restrain the free movement and mobility of citizens. For this reason, HiPEAC increased efforts to provide value in spite of the difficult circumstances and launched a massive campaign to promote its mobility activities. By adopting a “remote-friendly” approach, HiPEAC gave students who were unable to leave their countries a
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