Student innovation contest in Penza

Telecom idea.PNZ, the competition of student innovation projects in telecommunications started in Penza. It is organized by Mobile TeleSystems, the leading telecommunications operator in Russia and the CIS, and Penza State University. The competition objectives are boosting students' practical skills of developing their own telecom projects, presenting to potential investors innovative and relevant ideas related to telecommunications.

There are lots of smart, talented young people who can make a significant contribution to the development of innovative economy and society in the regions of Russia. Therefore, we believe it is necessary to support students and young scientists in the framework of partnership programs with leading universities in the country, - said Roman Khrulev, the director of MTS in the Penza and Ulyanovsk regions and the Republic of Mordovia.

He added that the competition is one of the elements of open innovations system, which will, in addition to the support of talented young people, find new sources of ideas for development.

Undergraduate and graduate students under the age of 25 years are allowed to take part in the competition they are to register and fill out a form until April 20 at one of the University chairs, participating in the contest.

Projects are accepted from students, young researchers, at all stages of development from concept to pilot models in thematic categories Innovation in software, Innovative solutions for communication systems and Marketing and management innovation.

All participants will receive professional expertise of the projects from leading telecommunications industry experts and the scientific community in the face of the teaching staff of Penza State University.

The winners will receive prizes from MTS and a chance to present their projects to the MTS Group's management and venture capital investors. The reward for the winners will also be a trip to Moscow for Student Innovation Summit, held by the MTS in the international sectorial exhibition Communications-Expocom -2012.

During the summit, students will become familiar with the advanced achievements of world telecommunications industry, will participate in master classes and share their experience on innovative projects.