Source: Own Illustration
High Performance Computing (HPC) plays a central role in many fields of research—from engineering and data analysis to the simulation of complex physical processes. The IT Center therefore regularly organizes workshops, training sessions, and community events focused on HPC to support researchers and students as they get started and further develop their skills.
In 2026, the event program once again offers numerous opportunities to explore topics related to high-performance computing, scientific programming, and numerical methods. Some events have already taken place, and many more are scheduled throughout the year.
Overview of HPC Events in 2026
The event program includes both introductory sessions for new HPC users and specialized workshops for advanced users. Among the most important events in 2026 are:
- Introduction to High Performance Computing
- Python Courses at the IT Center
- CLAIX Porting and Tuning Workshop
- PPCES 2026
- NHR4CES Workshop Series
- NHR4CES Community Workshop 2026
- HPC Consultation Hour (monthly)
- nrw
- aiXcelerate (December 2026)
Review: HPC Events So Far in 2026
Several events covering both fundamentals and specialized topics in the HPC field were successfully held in the first few months of the year. The series kicked off with the workshop Introduction to High Performance Computing, which provided participants with an overview of the use of HPC systems, typical workflows, and the infrastructure at RWTH. In addition, various practice-oriented courses took place, including the Python Courses at the IT Center, which focus on the use of Python for scientific applications and data analysis. Most recently, the PPCES – Parallel Programming in Computational Engineering and Science 2026 took place, focusing on parallel programming and HPC technologies.
NHR4CES has also already offered several thematically specialized workshops. These include, for example:
- Getting Started with HPC in Research, an introduction for researchers who want to work with high-performance computers for the first time.
- Version Control for Researchers, a practical workshop on the use of version control systems such as Git in scientific work.
- Machine Learning in Combustion, which presented modern machine learning methods in the context of combustion processes.
These events offer both beginners and experienced users valuable insights and practical knowledge for the use of HPC in research.
Outlook: Additional HPC Events in 2026
Numerous events in the HPC field are also scheduled for the coming months. These include, among others, the CLAIX Porting and Tuning Workshop, which focuses specifically on the necessary adaptations of applications for the efficient use of the new HPC system CLAIX-2025.
As part of the NHR4CES workshop series, several in-depth courses on numerical methods and simulation techniques will also be offered, including:
- Introduction to Extended Discontinuous Galerkin Methods for Multi-Phase Flow Problems
- Numerical Methods for Combustion
- Efficient HPC Implementation for Lagrangian Particle Tracking
- Introduction to Scientific Visualization with ParaView
- Introduction to Turbulence Modeling and Numerical Implementation
- Introduction to Finite Element Methods for Flow Problems
Another key venue for exchange and networking is the NHR4CES Community Workshop 2026, where researchers can discuss current developments, best practices, and experiences in the HPC field.
Due to high demand, some of the courses offered are held multiple times a year, giving interested participants several opportunities to attend the events.
SciCoCo.nrw – New HPC.nrw Event Series
SciCoCo.nrw (Science Compute Connect NRW) will launch a new event series for the first time from September 21–23, 2026, as part of HPC.nrw, hosted at the IT Center of RWTH. The goal of the event is to bring key scientific IT communities closer together and to strengthen collaboration between the fields of artificial intelligence, research data management, research software engineering, and High Performance Computing.
The program includes keynotes on all four topics, a poster session, and parallel technical sessions that provide opportunities for discussion, knowledge transfer, and new collaborations. The event is planned to take place annually in the future and will be hosted at rotating locations within HPC.nrw.
Looking Ahead to the End of the Year: aiXcelerate 2026
A special highlight at the end of the year will once again be aiXcelerate 2026, which traditionally takes place in December at the IT Center. The event brings together researchers, industry partners, and HPC experts to discuss current developments in the fields of HPC, data science, and artificial intelligence. Further information on the program will be published throughout the year.
Regular Support: HPC Consultation Hour
In addition to workshops and training sessions, the IT Center also offers a monthly HPC Consultation Hour. During this open consultation hour, HPC users can discuss their questions regarding high-performance computing, software optimization, parallelization, or the use of RWTH HPC systems directly with experts from the IT Center.
The HPC Consultation Hour provides an accessible opportunity to get support and discuss specific challenges arising from your own research.
More Information and Registration
All current dates, detailed event descriptions, and registration information can be found on the IT Center Events Blog.
We look forward to welcoming you at one of our upcoming HPC events!
Responsible for the content of this article are Hannah Loock and Malak Mostafa.
Leave a Reply