The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) and the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin today received gifts totaling $230,000 from Chevron Corporation to train the next generation of scientists and researchers in using advanced computing technologies and state-of-the-art laboratories for breakthrough science.
“Energy companies need highly skilled employees and extensive computing capabilities to perform the research and analysis necessary to meet the global demand for energy,” said Jim Green, general manager of Technical Computing, Chevron Energy Technology Company. “Chevron’s support and long association with The University of Texas at Austin over the years has provided us with strong alliances and research partnerships, as well as a source of talent to take Chevron into the future.”
As one of the nation’s leading advanced computing centers, TACC operates among the largest supercomputing systems (Ranger), visualization displays (Stallion) and massive data storage systems (Corral) in the world. Researchers across the university, state and nation are using these resources for breakthroughs across all domains of science.
Chevron is donating $130,000 to TACC this year, with additional funding to follow during the next two years.
“We are grateful to Chevron for making it possible to educate future scientists to solve science and society’s most challenging problems,” said TACC Director Jay Boisseau.
TACC will also broaden the curriculum and course materials to contribute to the education of students at other universities, and to train people already in the workplace who are dependent on advanced computing for delivering solutions in areas such as energy and medicine.
The McCombs School will use the $100,000 it received from Chevron to purchase server hardware and renovate the school’s Connectivity Lab.
“This gift from Chevron will help our lab become a state-of-the-art learning center where we can teach and implement the latest networking and information technologies used in the corporate and small-business worlds,” said Jerry Malcolm, lecturer in the McCombs School’s Department of Information, Risk, and Operations Management.
Said Melody Meyer, president of Chevron Energy Technology Company, “We welcome the enthusiasm and creativity from future generations to help us meet the world’s challenges.”
