The 5G Innovation Hackathon is a collaborative initiative between Jazz and National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), in partnership with the National IT Board, Oppo, Huawei, and Code for Pakistan (CfP). This hackathon aims to leverage the power of 5G and other cutting-edge technologies to develop innovative solutions addressing critical challenges in Pakistan's healthcare, education, disaster management and climate change, agriculture and industrial sectors.

The 5G test bed available at the 5G Innovation Lab at SINES, NUST, provides an unprecedented opportunity to revolutionize research and development across numerous domains in Pakistan.

The primary objectives of the 5G Innovation Hackathon are to:

• Bring together talented individuals, innovators, and problem solvers to leverage the power of 5G technology and develop groundbreaking solutions addressing critical challenges in Pakistan's specific use cases.
• Showcase the potential of 5G technology and its impact on various sectors, including Health, Education, Disaster Management and Climate Change, AgriTech, and Industry 4.0.
• Facilitate collaboration between industry professionals, researchers, and students to foster a culture of innovation, knowledge sharing, and practical exposure.
• Provide support for project development through prototyping and project funding, enabling the transformation of innovative ideas into tangible solutions.
• Highlight the importance of establishing a supportive ecosystem that encourages innovation, investment, and regulatory frameworks aligned with the potential of 5G technology.

In addition to the previously mentioned objectives, a key goal of the 5G Innovation Hackathon is to develop and showcase use cases that can inform policy decisions related to the deployment and utilization of 5G technology in Pakistan. These use cases will serve as real-world examples of the potential benefits and challenges associated with 5G technology.

Event Schedule

Starting September 2023...

• Call for applications: Late September, 2023
• Closing date: To be announced (TBA)
• Review and shortlisting of applications: TBA
• Orientation on 5G technologies: TBA
• Hackathon: TBA
• Testing and validation of solutions:TBA
• Pitches and adjudication: TBA
• Awards ceremony: TBA

• Impact (30%)
  Extent to which the solution addresses a critical challenge in the chosen theme. Potential impact of the solution on improving existing system and processes. Scalability and sustainability of the solution to create long-term positive effects.
• Innonvation (25%)
  Uniqueness and originality of the solution. Degree of technological innovation and utilization of 5G technology. Use of creative and novel approaches to tackle the challenge.
• Feasibility (20%)
  Technical feasibility and practicality of implementing the solution. Availability of necessary resources, infrastructure, and support for the solution's implementation. Consideration of potential challenges, risks, and scalability of the solution.
• User Experience (15%)
  Usability, accessibility, and user-friendliness of the solution. Ability of the solution to enhance user experience and engagement. Consideration of user feedback and user-centric design principles.
• Presentation and Demo (5%)
  Clarity and effectiveness of the presentation and demonstration of the solution. Ability to effectively communicate the problem statement, solution concept, and implementation approach. Demonstration of key features and functionalities of the solution.
• eamwork and Collaboration (5%)
  Level of collaboration, coordination, and teamwork within the participating team. Effective utilization of diverse skill sets within the team. Demonstration of effective communication, delegation, and coordination among team members.