UGM launches smart GamaCard

YOGYAKARTA: In cooperation with Bank Mandiri and PT Telkom, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) launched on Wednesday the GamaCard, a student identity card-cum-multipurpose card.

The card has a smart chip and magnetic stripe, enabling it to be used not only as a student identity card, but also as an ATM card, Visa Electron debit card and a phone card.

"This is the initial step for us to make UGM a cyber campus that closely relates with information technology development," university rector Sofian Effendi said during the card launch, which was held in the university's Grha Sabha Pramana Hall on Wednesday evening.

Also attending the ceremony were Bank Mandiri president director ECM Neloe and PT Telkom president director Kristiono.

University employees and lectures can apply for a GamaCard at Bank Mandiri and pay a Rp 50,000 joining fee, half the rate the bank normally charges for new accounts.

UGM currently has 55,000 students and hundreds of employees and lecturers in its 18 departments.

The smart chip guarantees that the data of the owner is protected while the magnetic stripe is for bank transactions. -- JP