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'Smart' start to year for ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide students

Tuesday, 17 February 1998

Some 14,000 ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide students will receive student cards with an innovative difference over the next few weeks.

The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ is the first in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥, and one of only a handful in the world, to introduce 'smart' card technology for the benefit of students and staff.

The new cards contain computer chips which, by mid-year, will enable card holders to store cash for use at a network of retail outlets, vending machines and payphones now being developed by Telstra throughout Adelaide.

The 'electronic purse' will also be able to be used for student photocopying and laser printing on campus.

The cards also provide students with vital ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ services, such as library use, access to authorised buildings and facilities, and identification to obtain public transport concessions and other student discounts.

The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s new Card Centre, which will issue and manage the cards, was officially opened today by the Minister for Education, Children's Services and Training, the Hon. Malcolm Buckby.

"It seems appropriate that this ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n first should happen in South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥, given its support for, and emphasis on, the information technology industries," Mr Buckby said.

ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Mary O'Kane says the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ is now keeping a long-standing promise to students to introduce a single card for all their ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ needs.

"As well, students will receive the benefits of the 'smart' card technology, which should provide additional convenience by enabling students to use a much wider range of facilities on and off-campus, quickly and easily," Professor O'Kane said.

'Smart' cards will be introduced for ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide staff around June.

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