Kuala Lumpur:Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has introduced its advanced High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure, becoming the first public university in the country to feature cutting-edge Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). This development enhances its capacity for large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) research and innovation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the infrastructure was launched during the Vice-Chancellor's Gathering at UTM Kuala Lumpur and is part of a strategic effort to establish an industry-grade AI computing ecosystem. This initiative aims to support large-scale AI research and development, positioning UTM as a leader in AI education and research.
Located at the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI), the facility boasts the fastest GPU supercomputer among public universities in Malaysia. Based on NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, it is capable of training and running large AI models with up to one trillion parameters, supported by a 400 Gbps InfiniBand network. The system's processing capacity reaches up to 72 PFLOPS for training and 144 PFLOPS for inference, enhancing UTM's capabilities in areas such as Large Language Models, computer vision, and complex simulations.
Additionally, the facility includes an AI Workstation Laboratory with 120 AI desktop computers, allowing students and researchers to develop and train AI models simultaneously. This environment provides hands-on experience with advanced AI technologies, aligning with industry needs and helping develop high-level AI skills.
The enhanced computing capabilities are expected to enable researchers to create AI-based solutions for national needs, including healthcare and smart manufacturing, and systems based on local languages. Furthermore, the infrastructure is anticipated to bolster UTM's role as an AI research and innovation hub, expanding opportunities for collaboration with industry, government agencies, and research partners both nationally and internationally.
The development of this HPC GPU infrastructure is part of a RM20 million investment by the Ministry of Higher Education under Budget 2024, supporting the establishment of FAI, Malaysia's first faculty dedicated to artificial intelligence.