A landmark collaboration between telecom leader Jazz and the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) led to the pioneering 5G Innovation Hackathon which showcased the transformative power of 5G through innovative solutions developed by some of Pakistan’s brightest young minds.
The much-anticipated 5G Innovation Hackathon saw the collaboration of Jazz with the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Code for Pakistan, the National Information Technology Board (NITB), the Government of Pakistan, and technology partners Huawei, Oppo, and Tecno Mobile Pakistan.
The event was held at the Jazz 5G Research Lab located within the School of Interdisciplinary Engineering and Sciences (SINES) NUST.
The event witnessed active participation from youth across Pakistan, marking a significant stride towards harnessing the transformative potential of 5G technology.
Over 300 teams joined the contest, showcasing their ingenuity and passion for innovation. The six selected teams presented their solutions to a distinguished panel of judges including CEO NITB Baber Bhatti, Principal and Dean SINES Dr Hammad Cheema, and VP Networks at Jazz Abdul Rehman Usmani.
The final awards ceremony was attended by Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Hafeez ur Rehman, CEO Jazz Aamir Ibrahim, Dr Rizwan Riaz Pro-Rector NUST, and CEO Huawei Ethan Sun.
“Innovation is not just about technology, it’s about creating a future where every Pakistani is connected, empowered, and ready to conquer the digital world,” Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz said.
5G Innovation Hackathon Winners
Winning Team: Among the standout finalists, an all-female team from the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST) captured attention with their groundbreaking idea to revolutionize the healthcare industry.
Team Patronus from FAST-NU Islamabad presented the “Remote Healthcare using WiFi” system which utilizes 5G-enhanced WiFi signals for remote patient monitoring, including vital signs, fall detection, and breathing patterns. Their concept, leveraging wi-fi signals, particularly Channel State Information (CSI) data, promises cost-effective and scalable solutions for patient comfort and accessibility, particularly in home care settings.
Second spot: Securing the second position was a team from Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI), presenting an ambitious “Cellular V2X Enhancement” project.
The project focused on integrating vehicles into the 5G network and adapting to real-time vehicle data, to enhance communication between vehicles, traffic management systems, and pedestrians, highlighting the immense possibilities of 5G within transportation. V2X technology has the potential to revolutionize traffic flow by allowing vehicles to coordinate and optimize routes, ultimately reducing congestion, shortening travel times, and enhancing overall driving efficiency.
Third position: A team from the University of Engineering & Technology Peshawar clinched the third spot with their innovative approach to smart logistics for agriculture. By merging 5G technology with smart container solutions, they aim to streamline supply chain operations, paving the way for enhanced efficiency and productivity in the agricultural sector.
The hackathon served as a testament to the power of collaboration between industry and academia, driving research and innovation in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, climate change, and agriculture.
The winning teams exhibited exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills, underscoring the potential of 5G to address longstanding challenges within Pakistan.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like the 5G Innovation Hackathon play a crucial role in driving progress and innovation, ultimately paving the way for a more connected and innovative future for Pakistan.