MasterCard University offers a series of workshops on chip technology to member financial institutions across the Middle East and North Africa
Dubai, UAE – November 20, 2002 – MasterCard International, a leader in the development of the emerging smart card technology, recently held a series of well-attended training workshops across the region for its member financial institutions to inform them on the latest technology benefits.
More than 25 delegates from member financial institutions throughout the UAE attended the two-day Chip Migration Member Symposium held recently in Dubai as a part of the MasterCard University program. The training program provided an overview of the benefits that smart cards offer from an operational perspective, including how members can reduce operating expenses and improve risk management and security.
“As a leader in global e-business and the smart card industry, we are constantly developing new technologies that we share with our members through training, such as the MasterCard University program,” said Ivan Jones, vice president, e-Business Development, MasterCard International, Middle East and North Africa.
“We are committed to working in partnership with our members to prepare them for the planned regional migration to chip technology. We want to ensure that all parties understand the impact and new business opportunities presented by chip and that our members are fully prepared for the liability shift, ” Jones explained. “Concluding the success and interest garnered from the initial chip training program, additional seminars are being planned for the region,” he added.
MasterCard has launched several key initiatives to accelerate smart card adoption in support of its overall chip strategy. For instance, MasterCard recently introduced “OneSMARTÔ MasterCardÒ,” a comprehensive approach to smart cards designed to give MasterCard’s member financial institutions around the world the technology choices, marketing support and critical flexibility they need.
Globally, more than 125 million MasterCard, Maestro, Mondexâ, and Clipâ-branded smart cards have been issued worldwide, and more than half of them carry value-added applications like loyalty, digital ID, e-ticketing, e-coupons or personal data storage.
The Chip Migration Member Symposium, given by the MasterCard University team in Dubai has previously taken place in Cairo, Riyadh, Kuwait City and Beirut.
- Ends -
About MasterCard Global e-Business
MasterCard International is a leader in global e-business. MasterCard is focused on providing its member financial institutions with customized, meaningful global e-business solutions that connect them to their accountholders. Through its investment in industry innovation, participation in standard development and business alliances, MasterCard is staying in the forefront of technology integration to enable anytime, anywhere payments across multiple channels and various devices. MasterCard’s global e-business solutions include Internet security, smart cards, mobile commerce/wireless, business to business electronic commerce, and numerous emerging technologies.
About MasterCard International
MasterCard International has a comprehensive portfolio of well-known, widely accepted payment brands including MasterCardâ, Cirrusâ and Maestroâ. More than 1.7 billion MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro logos are present on credit, charge and debit cards in circulation today. With approximately 25,000 MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro members worldwide, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses, both large and small, in 210 countries and territories. MasterCard is a leader in quality and innovation, offering a wide range of payment solutions in the virtual and traditional worlds. MasterCard’s award-winning Pricelessâ advertising campaign is now seen in 90 countries and in 45 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. With more than 28 million acceptance locations, no payment card is more widely accepted globally than MasterCard. For the six months ended June 30, 2002, gross dollar volume exceeded US$534 billion. MasterCard can be reached through its website at http://www.mastercardinternational.com.
Contacts:
Monique Saber, MasterCard International, 9714 391 4200 Email: Monique_saber@mastercard.com
Samantha Burgess-Allen, Manning Selvage and Lee 9714 3311637 Email: Samantha.burgess-allen@dubai.mslpr.com
© Press Release 2002
