The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has developed software Onama' for engineering professionals in the country. The low-cost software will enable engineering colleges to churn out more high demand for high performance computing (HPC) professionals in the domestic and overseas market.

Speaking at the launch of the software, S.P Dixit, director, C-DAC said, "There is growing demand for HPC professionals and manpower in India and abroad. This software will come in handy to develop this manpower."

The software will equip future engineers and scientists with HPC expertise, who's application is suited to various engineering disciplines, like computer science, mechanical, electronics and telecommunication, electrical, chemical engineering and life sciences, among others.

For instance, the software will enable engineers to prepare diagram charts while making their projects. "The existing softwares that are available in the market are really expensive and can be afforded only by the likes of Indian Institute of Technologies. We realised the need for a cheaper software and came up with the idea of Onama, which is low-cost and can be affording by any medium range engineering institute," Goldi Mishra, group co-ordinator and head of the HPC Solutions Group, C-DAC, informed.

Engineering institutions that do not have a lot of funds at their disposal can install this software at their respective colleges as per their requirements. The software is priced anywhere between Rs five lakh to Rs 50 lakh depending upon the institute's requirement. C-DAC will train the faculties on HPC once the software is deployed at the respective college.

Various symposiums will be conducted in the coming months across the country wherein awareness will be created about this software.

The first of such workshops, which already has a confirmed participation from 100 engineering colleges specifically for Principals, vice-principals and department heads, has been organised at the College of Engineering, Pune on Saturday.

Scientist bags global award
Pradeep Sinha of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) was recently conferred with the Distinguished Engineer of 2009' recognition by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) based in New York. Sinha is among the 17 engineers from across the globe to receive this recognition.

Sinha is the Chief Co-ordinator of Research and Development division at C-DAC.

The ACM recognises those members who have at least 15 years of professional experience and have made significant contribution or have left a significant impact in the field of computing.

At C-DAC, Sinha has led national programs in areas of high performance computing (HPC), grid computing and health informatics. Sinha has significantly contributed to the advancement of science and technology and technical education. He holds two international patents and has authored a number of technical papers and three books.

The ACM is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting computing educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges.