UTAR launches ID-cum-stored value SilverCard

UTAR in collaboration with Silverlake Global Payments Sdn Bhd (SGP) officially launched the UTAR SilverCard at Heritage Building, UTAR Perak Campus on 26 January 2015.

The UTAR SilverCard was offered to all staff and students of UTAR Perak Campus and it serves as an ID card and e-wallet which can be used to pay for services and merchandise in the campus.  

Perak State EXCO Member Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon officiated the launching of the UTAR SilverCard. Also present at the launching ceremony were Executive Chairman of Silverlake Group Goh Peng Ooi, UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, Director of Silverlake Global Payments Ambassador Dato’ Redzuan Kushairi, Group Managing Director of Silverlake Group of Private Entities Choo Soo Ching, Managing Director of Silverlake Global Payments Aaron Tan, Vice Presidents of UTAR Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei and Prof Ewe Hong Tat, UTAR Council Member Hew Fen Yee, deans, staff and students.

(Clockwise from top left): Dato’ Mah, Goh and Prof Chuah delivering their opening speeches 

Goh (fourth from right) presenting a mock UTAR SilverCard to Prof Chuah (third from left) at the launching ceremony while (from left) Prof Lee, Hew, Dato’ Mah, Choo, Dato’ Redzuan and Aaron Tan look on

In his address, Dato’ Mah said, “I wish to congratulate UTAR and SGP for the successful launch of the UTAR SilverCard which facilitates the issuance of ID cum stored value card for staff and students to use for cashless transactions.” He added, “I applaud both UTAR and SGP for the timely collaborative efforts in bringing about a cashless payment system that is tailored for the campus community.”

Goh said, “SGP is proud to be chosen by UTAR to be its partner to implement this e-wallet payment instrument aimed at transforming the university into a cashless environment and to enrich the student’s campus life style with the experience of using the latest contactless payment technologies.”

He also added that, “On behalf of SGP, I would like to extend my appreciation to UTAR President and his team for their support and dedication to make the UTAR SilverCard available to the students and staff. Promoting more cashless transactions helps to reduce the costs of cash handling and management. I would like to announce that Silverlake will also donate to UTAR any profit generated from the transactions of the current UTAR attending students.” Prof Chuah thanked Mr Goh for his generosity towards UTAR.  

In his speech, Prof Chuah remarked that, “This is an initiative by the university to encourage a cashless campus community which is in line with the government’s aspiration to transform Malaysia into a cashless society. The UTAR SilverCard offers an accurate and reliable mode of payment via SGP digital platforms and I am confident that our students will welcome this lifestyle with conveniences of e-payment.”

ICS students posing with their UTAR SilverCard

The ceremony also saw the presentation of SilverCards to 20 UTAR students from the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS). There was also a transaction demonstration in the UTAR bus by Dato’ Mah, Goh and Prof Chuah at the end of the ceremony.

Dato’ Mah tagging in with his UTAR SilverCard in the bus

The UTAR SilverCard architecture is a major leap in SGP, bringing new ideas to the table that enhances and improves its usage. Every element of the SilverCard has been fine-tuned to its purpose. Besides functioning like a debit card; UTAR SilverCard is also a campus ID card that can be readily used for purchases and transactions at the cafeteria, library, bus and other facilities within the campus. The other additional benefits include savings through discounts and privileges from participating merchants outside UTAR. The card allows students and staff to track expenses online and results in shorter waiting duration at payment counters since no cash is exchanged.