Electronic validity

In Silesian University systems

Many identification systems of the Silesian University use chip readers to recognize users and their specific permissions. For this reason, all types of cards are equipped with electronic contactless chips, allowing for user permission confirmation by tapping the card to a reader and executing the intended action. Electronic validity then means the card's ability to confirm the user's authorization when the card is presented to the reader and enable the intended action.

All chip cards remain electronically valid throughout the duration of the study or employment and enable users to perform actions for which they have permission, such as printing and scanning documents. 

Licensed chip cards, including ISIC, ITIC, ALIVE, ALIVE Employee, and ALIVE Graduate, remain valid in the systems of the Silesian University and will function on readers even if their license validity is not extended (by so called revalidation). The electronic validity of these cards is contingent solely upon the continuation of study or employment.

The validity of graduate cards ABSOLVENT and ALIVE Graduate is not restricted within the electronic systems of the Silesian University.

In GTS systems

ISIC, ITIC, ALIVE, ALIVE Employee, and ALIVE Graduate chip cards can be read not only within the Silesian University systems but also within the international network of ISIC contractual partners, where valid cards entitle holders to discounts. The card's validity for these purposes is dependent on the validity of the ISIC, ITIC, or ALIVE license. At a merchant participating in this network, the validity of your chip card can be verified through an electronic chip reader. 

Licensed chip cards, such as ISIC, ITIC, ALIVE, ALIVE Employee, and ALIVE Graduate, also have a virtual version that can be used to avail discounts in the ISIC contractual partner network, just like their physical chip versions. The virtual versions of these cards are accessible through the Alive App.

The electronic validity of both virtual and physical versions of licensed cards is identical and is determined by the duration of the purchased GTS license, lasting up to 16 months. Depending on the payment date of the licensing or revalidation fee, it starts no earlier than September 1st and ends on December 31st of the following calendar year. The electronic validity of licensed cards can be renewed annually by paying the revalidation fee.

The electronic validity of virtual cards is indicated in the Alive App, and the reliability of this information is guaranteed by visual security features. The validity of virtual cards can also be verified by scanning the QR code.

Electronic validity ends regardless of the payment of the license fee for the respective period:

  • For ISIC cards, it ends on the day of termination of daily study.
  • For ITIC cards, it ends on the day of termination of employment in the position of educator or academic staff.
  • For ALIVE cards, it ends on the day of termination of combined/distance study or employment.
  • For basic EMPLOYEE, STUDENT, GRADUATE cards, it ends on the day of termination of study or employment.

Visual Validity

It serves to verify the validity of the card in situations where an electronic chip reader is not available. Visual validity is indicated as a printed detail on the card. For security reasons, it is limited to a certain period, and if needed or desired, it can be renewed annually during the duration of study or employment by affixing a revalidation sticker The period of extended validity is then indicated on this revalidation sticker.

EMPLOYEE, STUDENT, GRADUATE Cards

The visual validity of EMPLOYEE and STUDENT cards is set for 12 months of the academic year. It begins no earlier than September 1st and ends on August 31st of the following calendar year.

The visual validity of these cards can be extended by a staff member at the card center at one of the distribution points by affixing a revalidation sticker. The issuance of the revalidation sticker is conditioned by the duration of study or employment and is free of charge.

The visual validity of the basic GRADUATE card is not limited. This card only has a specified start date.

ISIC, ITIC, ALIVE, ALIVE Employee, ALIVE Graduate licenced cards

For ISIC, ITIC, ALIVE, ALIVE Employee, ALIVE Graduate licensed cards, their visual validity mirrors their electronic validity in GTS systems. It is determined by the duration of the purchased GTS license and can last up to 16 months. Depending on the date of payment of the license or revalidation fee, the validity period typically begins on September 1st and ends on December 31st of the following calendar year.

The visual validity of these cards can be extended by a staff member at the card center at one of the distribution points by affixing a revalidation sticker. The issuance of the revalidation sticker is subject to the payment of the revalidation fee and further:

    • For ISIC cards, by the continuation of daily study.
    • For ITIC cards, by the continuation of employment in the position of educator or academic staff.
    • For ALIVE cards, by the continuation of combined/distance study or employment.

In the case of virtual versions of licensed cards, their validity is visually verified through the Alive App. The validity of a virtual card confirms the holder's identity, the duration of the specified type of study, employment, or completed study, and the validity of the GTS license. The reliability of this information is ensured by visual security features. The validity of virtual cards can also be confirmed by scanning the QR code.