The Octopus contactless smart card was introduced to Hong Kong in 1997 and has since been used on some bus routes and the railways. Designing the Airport Railway Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) System presented many challenges to industrial designers in particular.

Mr Duncan Petrie, senior automation engineer for the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, came to the OUHK on April 29 to share his experience regarding the establishment and implementation of the Airport Railway's AFC system.

'The seminar provided students with valuable insights into what systems engineering and systems integration are all about as well as what industrial designers and engineers do,' said Dr Jimmy Chan, Assistant Professor and Programme Leader of Engineering Mechanics, Materials and Design.

'On top of experience sharing, the seminar has inspired our students with ideas and strategies applicable to other projects which they will encounter in the future,' he added.

Prof. Wong Tat-meng, Dean of the School of Science and Technology (right) presents a souvenir to Mr Petrie.