Functions on Card

Target Functions

The HKUST Card is introduced with the objective of further enhancing the electronic culture on campus in order to facilitate effective and efficient ways of conduct of administrative, business, and academic activities.

Among the many potential usage of the card, there are 2 major target areas of development - e-Payment, and e-AccessControl. These are discussed in the sections below.

​

e-Payment

Means of payment related facilities have been incorporated in the HKUST Card:

  • Campus Cash Token (HKUST Card e-Purse)
    • This facility is available on the HKUST Card to cater for small sum payments for various university services, especially those of a "stand alone" nature of which cannot economically be accommodated by other payment solutions (e.g. the bank credit card facility). Payment for air-conditioning and washing/drying machines in dormitories are among the examples of what the "tokens" could be used for.
    • To use the campus tokens, money will have to be deposited (top up) into the e-Purse in these places

This form of payment further complement others means (e.g. Internet, ATM, direct Pay-in) currently in use, especially when dealing with small money items.


e-AccessControl

  • Physical Access

  

The HKUST Card can enable the departments/offices to enhance their respective access control requirements/policies to restricted areas. The ID and data on card can be used to determine the exact access privileges of the cardholder and access can be granted/refused accordingly.

Currently, there are over 30 departments / facilities inside the campus that require the HKUST Card to grant authorised access to their restricted areas.
  • Cyber Access

 

Similar to access to physical areas, the HKUST Card will be used to enable access to the University network and services, and to determine whether the cardholder has the privilege to access certain system functions and web-based administrative services.


Other Applications

It is expected that many applications can take advantage of the data and infrastructure provided by the HKUST Card. Attendance taking, records of special training, bonus and loyalty programs, are among some of the likely applications.

Currently, we have attendance taking by HKUST card being used in some administrative offices (e.g. sections of the Facilities Management Office) and in some student modules (e.g. the "Health Life Style Course" organised by Student Affair Office). Card holders are requested to present their cards to record attendance. Control can be further reinforced by asking card holders to present their card PIN (Personal Identification Number) to ensure the attendance is recorded in person.

Function in use

Currently you can use a HKUST Card to :

  • physical access to restricted area (if you are eligible)
  • purchase service by the e-Purse on card
     

Further development

The HKUST Card is an "enabling" infrastructure. Development/deployment of applications and services will likely continue and grow over a substantial period time, as more and more users become familiar and comfortable with the technology and its application.

It is expected that the followings will emerge in the near future:

  • More data/information that will be recorded in the card (e.g. Student Union Membership), thus enabling more applications/services (e.g. e-polling of Student Union cabinet, etc).
  • More web-based e-Payment functions (e.g. application of transcript) that will make use of the payment facilities of the card.
  • Extension of physical access control to other offices, laboratories, special areas and equipments.