The first alumni of the 5G Dream Lab present the results of their year’s work

Among the solutions submitted to the jury were developments using virtual and augmented reality technologies designed to improve the urban environment, organise online events, and so on.

MegaFon is a Pan-Russian provider of digital opportunities and a three-time winner of the Ookla award for the ‘Fastest Mobile Internet in Russia’. The company's services are used by 75.2 million subscribers.

Among the presented solutions were: an AR application for excursions to Raskolnikov’s places; an automated medical base that can be used in telemedicine; a Speech VR performance simulator; 360VR event service; and others. Following the results of the defence in front of a large expert board, the best products can be implemented with the support of MegaFon, and the best students will have an offer of an internship or a job.

The work of the 5G Dream Lab began in September 2019. Of the 413 participants in the first online module, 60 students were shortlisted. They continued their full-time study and project work in seven cross-functional teams, which included students from various fields of study at St Petersburg University. During the year, they developed an MVP (minimum viable product) based on 5G technology.

‘The 5G Dream Lab is a vivid example of how GSOM SPbU serves as a meeting point for business, science, advanced technologies and talented students of managerial and technical areas of study. It is in such multidisciplinary teams that breakthrough ideas are born. We would like to thank our partner, MegaFon, for their contribution to the implementation of the laboratory,’ said Olga Dergunova, Deputy President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board, Director of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University.

In the laboratory, students learn the skills of developers and integrators of digital products based on breakthrough technological solutions. In particular, they study how to develop and manage a product and budget, and adapt it to customer needs. Following the results of the defence in front of the large expert board, the best products can be implemented with the support of MegaFon, and the best students will have an offer of an internship or a job.

‘It is very important for us that the alumni of St Petersburg University have the competencies that will help them build a successful career in the future. And, of course, in order to train such sought-after specialists, we must meet in time the challenges of the modern world and the digital economy,’ said Marina Lavrikova, Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities and Teaching Methods of St Petersburg University. ‘The 5G laboratory is the place where students can learn how to solve real practical problems that today's business faces, thereby greatly increasing their value in the labour market.’

‘At present, more than 70 operators have launched fifth-generation (5G) networks worldwide, with about 20 of them already operating during the pandemic. This indicates that 5G is the future of telecom. MegaFon also believes in the enormous prospects that 5G technology offers. That is why our company is constantly taking steps to develop projects based on fifth-generation networks in Russia. The 5G Dream Lab is one of MegaFon’s future-oriented projects and a completely new format of interaction with universities. We are pleased that, even in the difficult conditions of the transition to distance learning, the laboratory was able to prepare the first group of students,’ commented Valentina Vatrak, Corporate Development and Human Resources Director at MegaFon. ‘The defence of the graduation projects showed that the market has received qualified specialists with digital competencies, focused on solving real business problems. They will be able to contribute to both the development of fifth-generation networks and the digitalisation of the Russian economy as a whole.’

The Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University (GSOM SPbU) is a leading Russian business school. It was established at St Petersburg University, which is one of the oldest classical universities, and the largest centre of science, education and culture in Russia. GSOM SPbU is consistently ranked among the 50 top business schools in Europe, and is a recognised centre for research and training in management. The GSOM Advisory Board includes leaders from business, government and the international academic community.