Blockchain and Higher Education Diplomas
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Literature Review
3.1. Main Concepts/Contributions
3.1.1. Blockchain
3.1.2. Blockcerts or Smart Contracts
3.1.3. Digital Diploma Issuing and Verification
3.1.4. Initiatives
3.1.5. Implementation Challenges/Barriers
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
Author Contributions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Appendix A
References
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Query | Documents Returned | Period of Publications |
---|---|---|
TITLE-ABS-KEY (“blockchain” AND “diploma*”) | 30 | From 2017 to 2020 |
Keyword | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Blockchain | 1 | 5 | 15 | 20 |
Higher Education | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
Students | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
Reference | Location | Objective | Contribution | Considerations |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cheng, J. C., Lee, N. Y., Chi, C., and Chen, Y. H (2018) [3] | Taiwan | To solve diploma fraud issues through the use of blockchain. | Developed a system for issuing and validating certificates in the article, using blockchain and smart contracts (based on Ethereum). Solution is built around 3 entities (schools or certification units that issue the documents, students and companies that inquire for a certificate, and service provider responsible for system maintenance and operation). Students are granted an e-certificate (QR code) and information that can be used to assess data. | Authors’ proposed design is very simple, and they do not make any considerations of how schools and certification units will join the network, or how to make sure they are valid institutions allowed to issue certificates. Furthermore, authors did not consider how errors and revokes should be done in their design. This is one of the main questions in the area, as once a transaction is recorded in the chain it cannot be updated. Authors conclude that due to the intrinsic characteristics of blockchain, such solutions can bring trust and reduce issues with certificate forgery. |
Kamišalić, A., Turkanović, M., Mrdović, S., and Heričko, M. (2019) [4] | Slovenia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina | Analyzes and categorizes existing blockchain initiatives for Higher Education. | Identification, categorization of initiatives, and their comparison to EduCTX. | The authors are responsible for one of the most referred and daring proposals, the EduCTX that aims to be a global platform for managing “digital micro-credentials”, which makes reading their work worthy. The work lists a good number of initiatives, allowing a good overview of the current state of research development, and the authors perform a useful categorization of those initiatives using two different approaches. In addition, a good description of the EduCTX platform is given along with a discussion about the implementation challenges based on their experience. In our view, it is important to have authors discussing implementation challenges and other aspects besides technical attributes. We understand this is essential to increase awareness of decision makers and increase adoption of blockchain solutions. |
Duan, B., Zhong, Y., and Liu, D. (2018) [11] | China | Proposes a specific application of a learning outcome blockchain. | Developed a prototype and executed proof of concept to a group of students at Xiangtan University in 2017. | The article brings a different perspective, by modeling a system for outcome-based learning using blockchain, and how the technology can contribute to creating an open learning environment, involving teachers, students, and even employers, and thereby promote continuous improvement of the curriculum and create greater student involvement. It is interesting in so far as it proposes that the student’s approval does not depend only on the teacher, but is based on a consensus algorithm. By using the proposed system, at the end of the course, the students will have a diploma and a rich set of information about the capacity acquired during the course. For researchers interested in the topic of education learning outcome, and how technology can be used in it, we understand it is an important piece of work, well worthy of being read. |
Gresch, J., Rodrigues, B., Scheid, E., Kanhere, S. S., & Stiller, B. (2019) [12] | Switzerland | Proposes a blockchain/smart-contracts based system to issue and verify diplomas for the University of Zurich | A customized solution for the University of Zurich. With a simplified model for interacting with, reducing complexity, when compared to other implementations. | Despite being a specific solution, based on the University requirements some of them can be easily generalized to other locations. Important to notice the authors expressed the need to increase awareness of such solution, so employeers could verify the diplomas by themselves. In our view this is a crucial point for any proposed solution to be widely accepted, but this is not explored further in the paper. |
Vidal, F., Gouveia, F., and Soares, C. (2019) [13] | Portugal | A proposed blockchain/Blockcerts-based system to issue and verify at University Fernando Pessoa. | A prototype and metrics about transaction times and costs (per diploma issued) on bitcoin blockchain. | It is interesting to notice that the authors decided to estimate some costs associated with issuing diplomas in a bitcoin/Blockcert solution. Having such numbers is important to help decision makers to compare with the existing process. As there is an expectation that the whole process will be more efficient and cheaper, in particular for students, it is relevant to have research including the cost component. |
San, A. M., N. Chotikakamthorn, and C. Sathitwiriyawong (2019) [14] | Indonesia | Proposes a blockchain issue and verification credential method to achieve increased data privacy. | A digital certification validation method based on a Merkle Tree to increase data privacy. | The article brings an interesting perspective by proposing a (theoretical) model for credential management and verification at a very granular and modular level. By sharing a credential, the owner can choose which components they want to be included. The model differs from others (e.g., Open Badge) by the use of a Merkle Tree to build the data model of credentials (courses, learning activities, etc.). Moreover, the model is general enough to accommodate different types of credentials in addition to academic degrees. On the other hand, as it is still a theoretical model, we understand that further development is needed, with proofs of concept and how it would be implemented in a simple and intuitive way. |
Nikolskaia, K., Snegireva, D., and Minbaleev, A. (2019) [15] | Russia | Develop a prototype blockchain/Blockcerts for diploma validation. | Set of instructions and diagrams to develop using Blockcerts. | Another prototype implementation of diploma verification application built upon Blockcerts. It is focused more on the technical aspects with diagrams and code excerpts. Worthy to note that the authors made available the source code in github, which can be of interest for some researchers. |
Serranito, D., Vasconcelos, A., Guerreiro, S., and Correia, M. (2020) [16] | Portugal | Proposes a prototype of a blockchain/smart-contract ecosystem of Higher Education Institutions for certificate validation. | Describes in detail their unique proposal to enable a consortium of institutions in a decentralized manner and testing results achieved. | Besides technical aspects, the work is useful to shed light on various decentralization aspects that need to be considered in similar solutions. As per the authors, this is not an easy task as “Decentralization is hard because it is not natural for today’s system architects and programmers”. We agree with the authors, because even though blockchain is decentralized by default, a poorly designed solution will compromise the full benefit realization. An additional note is that the solution is being developed in the context of a larger initiative named QualiChain (https://qualichain-project.eu/)The source code in github is available, which can be of interest to some researchers. |
Capece, G., Ghiron, N. L., and Pasquale, F. (2020) [17] | Italy | Describe technical aspects of the pilot blockchain/Blockcerts solution at the University of “Tor Vergata”. | Compares issuing and verification for existing and pilot solutions and discusses how blockchain can increase trust and efficiency in the process. | Most challenges were technical, due to the complexity and novelty of blockchain. This can be considered as an essential point for further development—the training of technical resources (like developers, researchers) to work with blockchain. Furthermore, the work confirmed that students are willing to accept such innovation. |
Meyliana, Chandra, Y. U., Cassandra, C., Surjandy, Eka Widjaja, H. A., Fernando, E., Prabowo, H., and Joseph, C. (2019) [18] | Indonesia | A proposal for a blockchain model for integrating the university value chain. | An integrated model to achieve enhanced data quality (accurate, verified, validated) for Indonesian universities. | Research focuses on Indonesia’s universities’ value chain to propose a conceptual model to manage full student learning paths until certification. The work does not indicate potential issues, like scalability of the solution, how information will be shared, and data-privacy concerns, among others. |
Vidal, F. R., Gouveia, F., and Soares, C. (2020) [19] | Portugal | To present an approach to execute corrective actions on the blockchain to revoke credentials. | A model to revoke digital diplomas that do not depend on actions of third-parties. | The work is useful as it presents a good overview of existing approaches and solutions to deal with certificate revoking. This is an important topic for research because due to the immutability feature of blockchain, any need to change data recorded poses a big challenge. Furthermore, by proposing an alternative model that aims to be blockchain agnostic, it opens research avenues for interoperability and the compatibility of solutions. |
Taufiq, R., Trisetyarso, A., Meyliana, Kosala, R., Ranti, B., Supangkat, S., and Abdurachman, E. (2019) [20] | Indonesia | Propose a crypto-governance model for handling student documents and diplomas. | A proposal model to implement a crypto-governance model, involving several actors, using a private blockchain network. | The authors bring an additional perspective to the process, involving multiple stakeholders in the university involved in diploma issuance. On the other hand, it is a customized solution for the Indonesian education system that may be not directly applicable to other jurisdictions. As a note, the solution is built on a private blockchain (IBM Hyperledger), in opposition to the majority of other initiatives that are based on public chains (e.g., bitcoin and Ethereum). |
Institution | Country | Status | Underlying Technology |
---|---|---|---|
University of Rome “Tor Vergata” | Italy | Pilot | Bitcoin/Blockcerts |
Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology | Taiwan | Prototype | Ethereum |
Xiangtan University | China | Pilot | Smart contracts |
Bina Nusantara University | Indonesia | Conceptual Model | N/A |
University of Zurich | Switzerland | Prototype | Ethereum |
University of Lisbon | Portugal | Pilot | Ethereum |
HCMC University of Technology | Vietnam | Prototype | Ethereum |
University Fernando Pessoa | Portugal | Prototype | Blockcerts/Bitcoin/Ethereum |
South Ural State University | Russia | Prototype | Blockcerts |
University of Maribor (EduCTX) | Slovenia | Pilot | Ethereum |
University of Nicosia | Cyprus | Production | Bitcoin |
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Castro, R.Q.; Au-Yong-Oliveira, M. Blockchain and Higher Education Diplomas. Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2021, 11, 154-167. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe11010013
Castro RQ, Au-Yong-Oliveira M. Blockchain and Higher Education Diplomas. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education. 2021; 11(1):154-167. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe11010013
Chicago/Turabian StyleCastro, Renato Q., and Manuel Au-Yong-Oliveira. 2021. "Blockchain and Higher Education Diplomas" European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education 11, no. 1: 154-167. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe11010013