Advancements in technology have made remarkable contributions to improvements in people’s lives. Following the fourth industrial revolution, Korea University (KU) has become one of the first universities in South Korea to implement a mobile identification (ID) card hopae, a blockchain-based service. Additionally, the mobile service will be integrating “KU PAY,” a feature that will enable students to utilize all financial services within the school. These technological progresses are expected to become a key factor in promoting convenience for KU faculty and students, as well as innovative growth inside and outside of KU.

What is Hopae?

The pace of technological improvements has been sped up over the past few years as the world, coping with a global pandemic, has entered the digital era. Preparing for a pioneering future, innovations are being carried out in all fields of research, industry, and education. In this regard, KU is changing the paradigm of universities by taking a step toward achieving a “smart campus” that applies big data, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to all areas around the campus.

On March 14, KU’s Smart Campus Development Team launched its full-scale expansion on the use of mobile ID cards through an application based on a blockchain network that can be utilized online as well as offline. As KU seeks to achieve advanced accessibility, the newly integrated technology is expected to authorize students to receive mobile student cards on their smartphones. The newly released mobile ID service has initially begun its preparations together with KEB Hana Bank since 2019, with great anticipations in modernizing the use of student ID cards.

Through a naming contest held in September last year, hopae was selected as the official name for KU’s mobile ID card. The origin of hopae started in the Joseon Dynasty, where men carried them as identification tags; now, it is used to represent students of KU. Unlike the former student ID cards that were used in physical forms, hopae is an integrated app that combines all functions that were previously operated separately into one ID card for the convenience of its users.

Through the app called Initial, hopae provides features that can be activated when students enter school buildings, reserve school facilities, and access certification as an official KU student. Additionally, one of the most anticipated aspects of hopae is “KU PAY,” which will allow students to make mobile payments at various facilities on campus, including student cafeterias and KIOSK systems. Additionally, school mileages and scholarships are expected to be utilized through “KU PAY” as well.

A Meaningful Fulfillment

Issuing the traditional student ID card has been a burden for many students — the procedures to register for an identification card are complicated as it requires a long time to register and verify for information. For this reason, in an era where mobile phones have become an absolute necessity, hopae is expected to minimize the concerns of students by preventing further inconvenience. Through blockchain-based technology, a platform of data sharing information, distribution of verification and academic information can be achieved swiftly, while safety of the data and privacy of users are ensured at the same time through its recorded and stored information usage.

As KU began cooperating with KEB Hana Bank to be a pioneer in the field of developing digital services, it plans to fulfill the university's social responsibility in promoting the development of blockchain technology not only within KU but also for its usage in daily lives as well. This newly integrated change is expected to enhance the field of blockchain technology usage, expanding the possibilities of its development. In fact, Chung Jin Taek, President of KU, commented on December 6, 2021, that the agreement with KEB Hana Bank “is meaningful in that it can fulfill the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) responsibilities” and expected the agreement to “become a platform for efficient communication and sharing” to pursue new successful strategies in an era of uncertainty due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

With the newly launched mobile ID card service, KU offers an opportunity for students to enjoy their campus lives and prepare themselves for the contemporary world. As KU’s Smart Campus Development Team strives to take part in achieving a smart campus, they have been actively reflecting the opinions of school members by keeping in touch with rising concerns and feedback from users through email responses and surveys. In this age of expanding technology, KU’s incorporation into a digital platform and the application of core technologies are expected to create a new spark of innovation on campus, bringing further anticipation to the use of hopae.

Utilizing the New Feature

To request a mobile ID card, users would first have to download the Initial app (available on both Play Store and Apple Store). After completing identity authentication, mobile ID cards can be issued after entering one's school number. Any undergraduate, graduate student, teacher, or employee with a valid academic number can request for hopae.