'Ease of mind' for parents from Mobitel's icard

The National Mobile Service Provider, Mobitel launched a student identity card solution that works on NFC (Near Field Communication)technology,for the first time in Sri Lanka. The student identity card named iCard was launched at Royal College.

The NFC card reader devices set up at entrance points at the school allow students to 'tap' in their attendance. A pre-defined cut off time ensures that absentees' parents are informed of such via SMS. The iCard bears vital information of the student, such as: name, school admission number, photograph, validity period, emergency contact number and card number. The card will serve as means to monitor attendance, control access to buildings, a travel card, canteen card and library card, while the iCard manage- ment system will generate valuable management reports increasing the productivity and efficiency of the administration of the school.

Speaking at the launch, Royal College's Principal, Mr. H.A. Upali Gunasekara stated, "We have a longstanding partnership with Mobitel, and the launching of this project only means that this partnership grows in strength. The iCard project developed by Mobitel is certainly one that we needed to increase the levels of safety and security of our students and also reiterate to parents that their children are safe. This technology also helps us to address truancy, which is a common issue amongst all schools. This multi-faceted project has much potential and we are proud to be the first school in this endeavor."