Two more choose smart card

Edinburgh and Nottingham universities are following the lead of Exeter and York in launching a smart card as a move to the cashless campus.

The card, which uses the Mondex electronic payment system, has already proved popular among students in trials this session at Exeter and York, and will now be issued to staff and students in Edinburgh and Nottingham in the coming session.

The cards, which include a photograph and barcode, will double as an identity and library card, allow access to secure areas where necessary, and also act as an electronic purse to pay for small transactions at local shops, and for other services such as payphones and photocopiers.

Richard Field, vice principal of Edinburgh University, predicted that students would be enthusiastic about the card.

"They will have less plastic to carry about and no worries about having the right coins to hand. And from the university's point of view, the card will improve administration, reduce cash handling costs and improve security.''