A high–performance computing facility at the College of Science (CS) in UP Diliman (UPD) was inaugurated on Nov. 19.

Called the UP Data Commons, the infrastructure at the ground floor of the CS Library is an upgraded data center and storage facility that maintains a world-class computing environment, as well as hardware and software resources for cutting-edge computing and storage.

The upgraded data center came to fruition through the EMBRACE Program of the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc, (JVOFI) with the goal of helping boost the University’s research and services that require high-performance computing and digital data storage.

CS dean, Prof. Giovanni A. Tapang, Ph.D., said that when the country went on lockdown a year ago, the college thought of ways to make the CS library adaptable to the new situation so it can still provide information services to students and faculty.

“The inauguration of the UP Data Commons today makes that transition possible. It opens more dimensions to bringing a physical library to the digital age,” Tapang said.

UP president, Prof. Danilo L. Concepcion, in his message at the inauguration, said it was his former student (Atty. Chita Herce) at the UP College of Law who connected UP to JVOFI. The JVOFI then looked for a donor—in this case, the Lucio Tan Group, Inc. (LTGI)—for the purchase of the powerful computers and other consumables of the infrastructure. The president also conveyed his gratitude to the JVFI and the LTGI for their support and generous donation to the University.

“Hindi po matatawaran ninuman ang kabutihan na idudulot ng inyong donasyon. Makakaasa kayo na hindi masasayang ang isang kusing man dito sa inyong iniregalo sa UP. Makakaasa po kayo na gamit ang inyong donsayon, iigting ang aming pagpupunyagi na tumulong sa paghanap ng lunas sa mga suliranin ng ating bayan lalong-lalo na ngayong pandemya,” Concepcion said.

Meanwhile, UPD chancellor, Prof. Fidel R. Nemenzo, Ph.D., said the infrastructure underscored the University’s mission to prepare its graduates for the challenges of a world increasingly powered and governed by information.

“The infrastructure will not only enhance teaching and research in UP but will also provide the computational power to help find solutions to the complex problems of our country,” he said.

The UP faculty and researchers will be the facility’s primary users. Researchers or anyone who needs to access the services of the UP Data Commons, can click on the link: https://up-datacommons.science.upd.edu.ph/user-guide-2/.

For the specifications of the core facility of the UP Data Commons, click the link: https://up-datacommons.science.upd.edu.ph/about/.