His work for ASCI (the national graduate school on computing and imaging) and for the different versions of the DAS clusters has benefitted generations of graduate students and faculty alike. Moreover, he has made countless contributions in high-performance computing applied to various fields, which range from astrophysics to AI. His calm and disciplined leadership both at the university level and beyond, served as an example for many of us.
Prof. Bal was one of the first professors in computer science at VU and played a key role in shaping the department into what it is today. For the many of us who have only known the computer science department at VU with him, it may be hard to imagine, but now he’s retiring! In recognition of the important role Henri played in the history of research on computing in the Netherlands, the VU Computer Science Department is organizing a (free-of-charge) symposium on the 1st and 2nd of May, 2025. It will consist of two parts:
- Day 1 discusses the role of HPC in the roaring 20s, a time where computing research plays a crucial role in AI, sustainability, and many other topics of vital importance.
- Day 2 commemorates Prof. Bal’s time at VU. Speakers will discuss the early days of computing research in the Netherlands, Henri's years as a PhD student, young faculty and finally research leader of world renown.