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Abstract：
This article provides insights into building research capacity in computational modelling of materials at the University of Limpopo (UL), formerly University of the North, in South Africa, through a collaboration with a consortium of universities in the United Kingdom (UK) through the support of the National Research Foundation (NRF), formerly the Foundation for Research and Development, and the Royal Society (RS). A background that led to the choice of building research capacity at historically disadvantaged universities in South Africa, including the UL, is given. The modus operandi of the collaboration between the UL and several UK universities on computational modelling of materials is outlined, together with the scientific highlights that were achieved in themes of minerals, energy storage and alloy development. The capacity built in terms of human capital and institutions set up is shared, which is followed by a discussion of the continuing research activities after the formal NRF-RS collaboration ceased with more alignment to industrial applications with national and international support. We conclude by highlighting the success of the project in capacity-building and consolidating the Materials Modelling Centre with developments of high-performance computing in South Africa and the African continent. We comment on the lessons learned regarding successful capacity-building programmes.
摘要：
本文提供了在林波波大学（UL）建立材料计算建模研究能力的见解，以前的北方大学，在南非,通过国家研究基金会（NRF）的支持，与英国（UK）的大学联盟合作，以前是研究与发展基金会，皇家学会（RS）背景导致选择在南非历史上处于不利地位的大学建设研究能力，包括UL,是给定的。概述了UL与几所英国大学在材料计算建模方面的合作方式，加上矿物主题的科学亮点，储能和合金发展。在人力资本和机构设置方面建立的能力是共享的，随后，在正式的NRF-RS合作停止后，对继续的研究活动进行了讨论，并在国家和国际支持下更加适应工业应用。最后，我们强调了该项目在能力建设方面的成功，并将材料建模中心与南非和非洲大陆高性能计算的发展相结合。我们评论在成功开展能力建设方案方面吸取的经验教训。
