High Performance Computing (HPC) will play a strategic role in various sectors, including healthcare, e-commerce, and cybersecurity, in the region.

Bogor, W Java (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia through its National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) together with the South Korean government have recently officially launched the High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure as part of ASEAN-Korea digital cooperation.

The launch marks an important step in efforts to increase computing capacity and data utilization in the ASEAN region, as quoted from the BRIN website, here, on Thursday.

HPC is part of the Korea-ASEAN Digital Innovation Flagship project which aims to strengthen the digital ecosystem and data processing in ASEAN.

The Korean Ambassador to ASEAN, Lee Jang Geun, said that this project is the result of a strategic partnership between ASEAN and Korea, with funding of 30 million U.S. dollars over the next five years.

"This project is a step forward in ASEAN-Korea digital collaboration. HPC will support digital transformation in the region,” Ambassador Lee said at the launch of the HPC Supercomputer Project, in Jakarta, Monday (March 10).

The launch was also attended by the Secretary General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, and the Head of BRIN, Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko.

On the same occasion, the Head of BRIN emphasized that the launch of HPC would provide great benefits for the research ecosystem in ASEAN.

“Without big data, HPC would not be optimal. Therefore, it is important for us to continue to build an inclusive and open digital infrastructure,” he said, adding that HPC would be part of an open platform for ASEAN countries, enabling broader research collaboration in various fields, including artificial intelligence, climate, and bioinformatics.

With its large capabilities and capacity, HPC will be placed at the BRIN’s facility in Cibinong, West Java province. This technology will be used for large-scale data analysis covering environmental, health, and digital economy research.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that this facility can be accessed by all ASEAN member countries and utilized optimally,” Handoko added.

In addition to building HPC infrastructure, the project will also develop a data sharing ecosystem, establish a digital academy in ASEAN, and hold an artificial intelligence (AI) competitions to boost innovation among the younger generation.

"We want to ensure that HPC is not only a research tool, but also a catalyst for the growth of the digital economy in the region," Handoko said.

The High Performance Computing project also involves various research institutions and industries from Korea, including the Korea Institute of Science and Information Technology (KISTI).

HPC technology will play a strategic role in different sectors, including healthcare, e-commerce, and cybersecurity in the region.

ASEAN is a region with rapid digital economic growth. The value of ASEAN's digital industry is projected to increase from 300 billion to 1 trillion U.S. dollars by 2030.

With the presence of HPC, ASEAN is expected to accelerate data-driven innovation and harness the potential of digital technology for more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The launch of High Performance Computing is an important milestone in ASEAN's digital transformation.

With support from Korea, ASEAN now has a high-performance computing infrastructure that can be utilized to accelerate research and innovation.

“Today we begin an important journey together towards a more advanced ASEAN digital future,” Handoko said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window