A landmark 5G Innovation Hackathon, a joint effort by leading telecom Jazz, the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), the National IT Board (NITB), and Code for Pakistan (CfP) concluded successfully in Islamabad. Supported by technology partners Oppo, Huawei, and Tecno, the event was held at the Jazz 5G Research Lab situated within the School of Interdisciplinary Engineering and Sciences (SINES) NUST, and showcased the transformative power of 5G through innovative solutions developed by some of Pakistan’s brightest young minds.
The highly anticipated hackathon attracted over 300 applications nationwide. Participants were introduced to the 5G technology, mentored by industry experts, and assessed through multiple rounds to shortlist 6 outstanding teams. The selected teams presented their solutions to a distinguished panel of judges which included 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) Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman, CEO Jazz Aamir Ibrahim, Dr Rizwan Riaz Pro-Rector NUST, and CEO Huawei Ethan Sun.
Chairman PTA, Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman was of the view “5G will prove to be a game changer for Pakistan, as the union of academia and industry shapes Pakistan’s future.”
Over three months, the participating teams received expert guidance and refined their projects within the Jazz 5G Lab, conducting research on how to leverage the technology’s speed and efficiency. The developed solutions targeted critical areas like healthcare, education, and agriculture, demonstrating the versatility of 5G.
Team Patronus, an all-girls team from FAST-NU Islamabad, emerged victorious for their innovative “Remote Healthcare using WiFi” project. This system utilizes 5G-enhanced WiFi signals for remote patient monitoring, including vital signs, fall detection, and breathing patterns. This non-invasive technology promotes patient comfort and accessibility, particularly in home care settings. Inspired by personal experiences and focused on patient well-being, Patronus offers a cost-effective and scalable solution by leveraging existing WiFi infrastructure.
Second place was secured by Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) with their “Cellular V2X Enhancement” project. This solution allows vehicles to communicate beyond traditional sensor limitations, enabling them to share real-time data about potential hazards. 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. Imagine traffic lights that adapt to real-time vehicle data, minimizing unnecessary stops and creating smoother commutes.
“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 Jazz said.
The hackathon provided a platform for participants to explore the potential of 5G in addressing crucial challenges faced across various sectors. Teams were given access to the Jazz 5G Lab to test and refine their projects throughout the development phase.
“This event highlights our commitment to driving social change through technology,” stated CEO, Code for Pakistan, Shaji Ahmed. “With the support of our partners and sponsors, we’ve empowered creative minds to unlock the vast possibilities of 5G.”
Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman, Chairman PTA, emphasized collaboration’s importance, stating, “The combined efforts of government, academia, and the private sector are essential to fully unlocking the potential of digital technologies in Pakistan.”
The hackathon’s success underscores the significance of 5G in Pakistan’s evolving digital landscape. The winning solutions showcased practical applications in areas like predictive maintenance, remote healthcare, and smart agriculture logistics. This initiative highlighted the power of 5G technology and nationwide participation from universities, bringing forth innovative ideas that have the potential to shape the future of technology in Pakistan.
