News

First postgrad degree in distributed computing

[ UniNews Vol. 14, No. 10  13 - 27 June 2005 ]

The world’s first postgraduate degree in the emerging field of distributed computing and grid technology – which enables users to access resources through a virtual network of computer applications – was launched recently by the University of Melbourne.

According to Director of the University’s Grid Computing and Distributed Systems (GRIDS) Laboratory, Dr Rajkumar Buyya, the new engineering degree will provide Melbourne graduates with “a unique qualification not available anywhere else in the world”.

Dr Buyya says the Master of Engineering in Distributed Computing is expected to be in great demand as distributed computing and grid technology expand.

He says grids are seen as the next generation of internet and web applications where, rather than buying or building a supercomputer or advanced facility, the services of distributed resources are borrowed for the time that they are needed.

“Individuals or businesses can access resources that would normally not be available to them by borrowing from the Grid network. In return, they can also place their resources on the grid, making them available to other users.

“All over the world governments and industries have recognised the potential of grid technology and are investing in its long-term development,” he says.

For more information, see: www.cs.mu.oz.au/courses/mbc/medc.html