Nokia Foundation awards Dr. Kimmo Koski for enabling LUMI supercomputer

Nokia Foundation has granted its 2024 recognition award to Dr. Kimmo Koski, Managing Director of CSC for his pivotal role in enabling the creation of LUMI supercomputer and Kajaani data center ecosystems. Scientific research is becoming increasingly data-driven, and almost all scientific disciplines use computational methods to analyze large datasets. This shift is also evident in private companies’ research, development, and innovation activities.

For example, artificial intelligence relies fundamentally on computational power. In this context, high performance computing and data ecosystems play a crucial role. LUMI supercomputer enhances the international reach of Finnish and European science, accelerating both innovation and competitiveness.

Hannu Kauppinen, Chairman of the Board of Nokia Foundation, said: “Dr. Kimmo Koski has over the years worked systematically and made foundational contributions to fostering the Finnish supercomputing environment and expanding its international connections and importance across Europe and beyond. Lately, this has culminated driving a European consortium for LUMI supercomputer in Finland. This has boosted the Finnish data center ecosystem and brought remarkable positive visibility to Finland both in industrial and in academic circles. This has been made evident in the significant increase in foreign investments in the Finnish data center facilities and companies engaged in High Performance Computing. The current boom of AI has further increased the demand for supercomputing, where LUMI already offers a powerful, ready-made solution.“

Dr. Kimmo Koski said: “I am truly honored by this recognition and see it as an acknowledgement of our long-standing work and commitment. Today, we host one the greenest and most advanced data center ecosystems in the world, and we are a preferred partner on a global scale. I am proud of this because of the significant societal impact it generates. Advanced data center ecosystems such as LUMI will be increasingly important when creating tomorrow´s success - not only to make scientific breakthroughs, but also to accelerate innovation. Up to one-fifth of Finland’s quota of LUMI resources has been reserved for businesses.”

Nokia Foundation has awarded over 2000 grants during its 29-year existence. In 2024, the Foundation will grant scholarships and awards totaling approximately 400,000 euros.

The Nokia Foundation’s purpose is to support the scientific development of information and communication technologies and to promote education in the sector in Finland. Nokia Foundation provides scholarships and awards for this mission. The Foundation was established on the initiative of Nokia Oyj in 1995; it is an independent, non-profit organization under Finnish foundation law.

CSC is a Finnish center of expertise in ICT that provides world-class services for research, education, culture, public administration and enterprises, to help them thrive and benefit society at large.