IBM Poland and the Wrocław University of Technology have signed an agreement on the opening of Poland’s first Multipurpose Cloud Computing Center. The university is to launch a new research program offering courses on cloud-computing technology for over 1,500 students.

Cloud computing is essentially internet-based computing, where services are provided and data stored online.

“The center is to develop new educational programs using existing and nascent technologies which will allow Polish students to compete in the global labor market,” said Paweł Panecki, director of the software department at IBM Polska.

The new center will be the latest development in IBM's cooperation with the city of Wrocław, one of Poland's leaders in attracting hi-tech investments.

Last year, IBM and the Polish government signed an agreement on cooperation in establishing the IBM IT Service Delivery Center. IBM also cooperates with the EIT + Research Centre in Wrocław on research, especially in the fields of nanotechnology and biotechnology, as well as in intelligent systems.

“For our students, academic staff, business partners and government institutions, the new center can be an excellent platform for work on solutions based on cloud computing,” Czesław Smutnicki, director of the Institute of Computer Science, Automatics and Robotics at the Wrocław University of Technology, told the Wirtualny Nowy Przemysł website.

“We plan to start cooperation with summer practicals on cloud computing technology for 500 students.”

The Wrocław University of Technology is the first university in the world with which IBM will cooperate in its Multipurpose Cloud Computing Center program.