Vodafone Romania inaugurated today the first center of excellence at the Politehnica University of Bucharest (UPB). Named the Vodafone Innovation Hub, this is a multidisciplinary concept based on teaching, research, and support for startups, bringing together a range of academic pursuits in electronics, telecommunications, and information technology. Additionally, the Vodafone Innovation Hub is an incubator for research, development, and innovation in areas of interest such as 5G/6G, IoT/IoE, AI, MPN, and OpenRAN.
At the inauguration ceremony, moderated by Alexandra Stoicescu, the following attended:
Mr. Mihnea Costoiu – Rector of Politehnica University of Bucharest
Mr. Achilleas Kanaris – CEO of Vodafone Romania
Mr. Tudor Prisecaru – State Secretary in the Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitization
Mr. Sabin Sărmaș – President of the Committee for Information Technology and Communications, Chamber of Deputies
“In the 25 years since Vodafone has been present in Romania, we have not ceased to invest in society and education through projects that we have supported, through innovation and technology, and through strong partnerships like this one. We live in a dynamic world, technology evolves at a rapid pace, and Vodafone’s role is to invest in the generation of tomorrow. We honor this promise through the laboratory inaugurated today. It is more than a strategic investment, it is a guarantee that the best specialists can offer continuous education and train new professionals. The Polytechnic University of Bucharest is one of the centers of excellence that helps Romania remain at the top of the rankings in IoT, AI, Open RAN, and future technologies, and Vodafone is one of the biggest promoters of Romania’s digitalization”, said Achilleas Kanaris, CEO of Vodafone Romania.
“Politehnica University of Bucharest is recognized as one of the most important trainers of highly specialized engineers in the region, a position that makes our graduates highly sought after by major hiring companies. It is a privileged position that would not have been possible without partners dedicated to education, research, and digitalization, such as Vodafone Romania. Through this partnership, the company encourages innovation and professional development and strengthens our common goals of staying at the forefront of innovation and providing students, master’s students, and Ph.D. students access to cutting-edge technologies and advanced digital solutions that help them develop their projects at the highest level”, said Mihnea Costoiu, Rector of Politehnica University of Bucharest.
The Vodafone Innovation Hub provides students, master’s students, and Ph.D. students from UPB with a range of innovative technologies so they can conduct research at the highest level, both for final theses and weekly laboratories or any other specific projects such as scientific sessions or international competitions. Among the most important technologies provided by Vodafone Romania through this hub are a 5G New Radio and NB-IoT network, advanced sensors, IoT and 5G development systems, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms used in communications and IoT applications, as well as automatic image processing algorithms, drones, digital twin solutions based on augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR/XR), Software Defined Radio (SDR) communication systems, mobile network and radio spectrum analysis devices, test mobile terminals, computers for processing large volumes of data, and 3D printing systems.
The Vodafone Innovation Hub is designed to provide access to technology and resources for students, master’s students, Ph.D. students, and researchers from UPB. The main goal is to serve as a hub for ideation and creation, and the laboratory can also host students from other universities in the country who have partnerships or joint research projects with UPB.
The inauguration of the Vodafone Innovation Hub center of excellence is part of the Memorandum of Collaboration signed by Vodafone and UPB in 2022. This agreement aims to improve the quality of education and support the accelerated transition towards digital skills and capabilities and the use of advanced technology in academia. The memorandum also includes the implementation of specific projects for research, development, technology transfer, and enhancing the quality of education and professional training for the development of human capital.
