CitySmart - "Dual-chip" Smart Card

 

Mei Ling Lee

CitySmart is our new and first-class university identity card as well as an on-campus electronic stored-value cash card. This is the first dual-chip smart card in the Asia-Pacific region. There are two chips embedded in the card: a contactless chip for identification purpose and a contact chip for electronic cash facility. The service provided by the contactless chip is supported by our Centre whereas the electronic cash function on the contact chip is supported by the Hang Seng Bank. After months and months of hard work, ranging from installation of hardware to system implementation, and co-operation with other departments, CitySmart was launched. With over 20,000 eligible users, the issuance of smart card has been carried out in phases. Currently, the issuance of CitySmart cards to all staff and eligible family members is completed. In a few more months, all students will get their new CitySmart cards, too. With this durable, nice new-looking identity card, you can gain access to our campus facilities such as the CSC Student Terminal Area, sports complex, swimming pool, the library, Self-access Centre of Language Institute, etc. Apart from being an identity card, you can use it to settle small bills within campus, provided that you have applied and stored monetary value in it. For instance, if you are inside the sports complex and choose to pay the court booking fee through CitySmart, just simply swipe your smart card and is done. The introduction of CitySmart will certainly tighten the security control on campus. In fact, there are many other applications which can be incorporated into the smart card. For example, gaining access to office area, visiting the medical centre, recording emergency contact person's phone number and lots more. In the meantime, experience CitySmart for yourself!

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