Tim and Andrew spent the last two weeks at the Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) in Catania, Sicily on a Grid training course. The INFN host GILDA, the training facility for the European Grid Initiative and run frequent training courses for international participants. Also attending were technical specialists from the University of Johannesberg, North West University and the Meraka Institute.
The course covered the basic concepts and operational layout of 
the EGEE Grid. It was an extremely 'hands on' approach to training utilizing the virtualized grid laboratory with particpants building their own grid infrastructure from the ground up. Additionally it allowed the UCT administrators to make very useful contacts both with their South African counterparts as well as the support teams in Europe. Both Tim and Andrew were registered as regional administrators allowing them to grant UCT staff and students access to Grid resources.
In addition to the training the team made sure to take the
opportunity to tour Sicily, from sunny beaches, amazing architecture, a night tour of Etna (Sicily's live volcano) to a night at the opera - Oedipus, in the 2500 year old Greek amphitheatre in Syracuse.
Immense thanks are due to Dr Bruce Becker for organising the event, as well as our Director Sakkie van Rensburg and HOD Andre le Roux for granting us this opportunity.
the EGEE Grid. It was an extremely 'hands on' approach to training utilizing the virtualized grid laboratory with particpants building their own grid infrastructure from the ground up. Additionally it allowed the UCT administrators to make very useful contacts both with their South African counterparts as well as the support teams in Europe. Both Tim and Andrew were registered as regional administrators allowing them to grant UCT staff and students access to Grid resources.
In addition to the training the team made sure to take the opportunity to tour Sicily, from sunny beaches, amazing architecture, a night tour of Etna (Sicily's live volcano) to a night at the opera - Oedipus, in the 2500 year old Greek amphitheatre in Syracuse.
Immense thanks are due to Dr Bruce Becker for organising the event, as well as our Director Sakkie van Rensburg and HOD Andre le Roux for granting us this opportunity.