The active optical coupling system generally has: a photonic die having a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) waveguide element disposed thereon, the PIC waveguide element having an intermediate coupling element disposed on the PIC waveguide element; a liquid crystal refractive element (LCRE) being optically coupled to the PIC waveguide element of the photonic die via the intermediate coupling element, the LCRE having a first face for receiving light, a second face opposite the first face for outputting the received light, a liquid crystal layer between the first and second faces, and an electrode system arranged to act on the liquid crystal layer; and a controller being electrically connected to the electrode system of the LCRE and being operable to actively control the propagation of the outputted light upon action of the electrode system, said active control allowing coupling of the outputted light into the PIC waveguide element.