The University of Victoria’s (UVic) Arbutus Cloud, Canada’s largest cloud computing site for supporting academic research, has received a major upgrade. The enhancements increase its performance, data‑handling capacity and energy efficiency, strengthening Canada’s ability to process and store data in Canada while improving sovereign artificial intelligence (AI) and data processing capabilities.
With support for more than 1,200 research teams across the country and computing power to more than three million trusted Canadian and international research partners, Arbutus Cloud is one of Canada’s most important high‑performance academic research computing centres.
The enhanced Arbutus Cloud also strengthens Canada’s digital research infrastructure, helping ensure that sensitive research data can continue to be processed and stored securely within Canada’s borders.
At a time when scientific data stored abroad is increasingly at risk, it is more important than ever that Canadian researchers have powerful options for keeping their work, and their data, in Canada. This upgrade will allow researchers to tackle bigger, more complex problems faster and more reliably, while keeping Canadian data stored and processed in Canada.”
—Lisa Kalynchuk, UVic vice-president research and innovation
Researchers use Arbutus to measure and predict the world around us
Arbutus Cloud supports data-intensive research. This includes creating advanced 3D imaging of the brain, modelling the interactions of subatomic particles and producing decarbonization scenarios that inform clean energy policy.
Madeleine McPherson, associate professor of civil engineering at UVic, and her research team with the Sustainable Energy Systems Integration and Transitions Group (SESIT) use Arbutus Cloud to share data with clean energy policymakers and experts.
“Through data modelling supported by Arbutus Cloud, our research team can share timely and evidence-based information to help inform clean energy policies. The recent upgrade helps us deliver that data more efficiently and expands the scope of what is available to researchers and the public. Arbutus Cloud plays an important role in advancing sustainable energy knowledge and policy that will leave a lasting impact on the health of our communities and the planet.”
More powerful system means data is now processed faster
The upgrade draws on over 15 years of expertise from UVic’s University Systems Research Computing Services in building and operating sovereign cloud platforms that support research.
The Arbutus model leverages the strengths of cloud computing to support dynamic research workloads, delivering scalable, on-demand performance for data-intensive projects like AI inference, climate modelling and biomedical discovery. This enhanced system demonstrates how independent cloud technology can be built to make research outcomes more accessible for users, strengthening research growth in Canada.”
—Ryan Enge, director, research computing services
Using advanced solid-state drives and high-speed networking, it dramatically reduces delays in reading and writing data. Networking speeds also increased significantly, with baseline connections now more than doubling previous speeds and even faster connections available for data‑intensive applications.
All of Arbutus’s core hardware—including computing, storage, networking and power systems—have been replaced and new Intel Xeon processors have been introduced along with faster storage, stronger cybersecurity and improved energy efficiency. The result is a more stable, flexible and powerful cloud system that helps researchers process, store and share massive data sets.
UVic upgrades supported through government partnership
The upgrade reflects a broader commitment to ensure Canada’s research community has access to world-class, domestically governed computing infrastructure.
Improvements were made possible through a combined investment of $16.4 million, including $10.3 million from the Digital Research Alliance of Canada and $6.1 millionthrough the Government of British Columbia’s BC Knowledge Development Fund—the province’s primary investment for research infrastructure geared to help BC institutions attract researchers and collaborate with industry.
“Through the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund, we’re investing in the people and ideas that will help shape BC’s future,” says Ravi Kahlon, minister of jobs and economic growth. “Research and innovation create opportunities for people, whether that’s through new businesses, good-paying jobs or solutions that improve everyday life. Through our Look West strategy, we’re helping ensure that the next generation of talent can build successful careers and futures right here in British Columbia.”
