Adeshina Ajayi Counsels on How Blockchain Can Enhance Credential Verification in Education 

Mary Nnah

Sex for grades, a menace that has continued to eat deep into the educational system has become a culture in most West African universities. Sexual harassment on campuses in Nigeria has gone on for decades unchecked.

U.S.-based blockchain expert and consultant, Adeshina Ajayi shares expert advice on how blockchain technology can put an end to this menace.

Blockchain can be a powerful tool for securing and streamlining the verification of academic credentials, offering a decentralized and tamper-proof system that enhances trust in educational records. Here’s how blockchain can be leveraged for this purpose:
 
Immutable Record Keeping:

Academic credentials, such as diplomas and certificates, can be recorded on a blockchain in a secure and immutable manner. Once information is added to the blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted, ensuring the integrity of the academic records.
Decentralized Storage:

Instead of relying on a central authority or database for academic records, blockchain allows for decentralized storage. Each educational institution, certification body, or student can have a node in the blockchain network, reducing the risk of a single point of failure or data manipulation.
 
Cryptographic Security:

Blockchain uses cryptographic techniques to secure data. Academic credentials can be stored as digital signatures on the blockchain, making them tamper-resistant. These cryptographic proofs can be easily verified by authorized parties to ensure the authenticity of the credentials.
 
Smart Contracts for Authentication:

Smart contracts can be employed to automate the verification process. Educational institutions can program smart contracts to automatically verify the authenticity of credentials when requested by a third party, such as an employer or another educational institution.
 
User-Controlled Access:

Individuals can have control over who has access to their academic records. Using private and public keys, individuals can grant permission for specific parties to view their credentials, maintaining privacy and control over their personal information.
 
Instant Verification:

Traditional methods of verifying academic credentials often involve time-consuming processes. With blockchain, verification can be nearly instantaneous, as authorized parties can access the decentralized ledger at any time, reducing the turnaround time for background checks.
 
Interoperability:

Blockchain can facilitate interoperability between different educational institutions and certification bodies. Having a standardized format for recording credentials on the blockchain makes it easier for various entities to recognize and verify qualifications from diverse sources.
 
Reducing Credential Fraud:

The decentralized and transparent nature of blockchain makes it difficult for individuals to forge or manipulate academic credentials. This can significantly reduce credential fraud, ensuring that only legitimate qualifications are accepted in various professional and academic settings.
 
Lifetime Learning Records:

Blockchain can support the concept of a lifetime learning record, allowing individuals to accumulate and showcase their educational achievements and certifications over time. This can be especially valuable in a world where continuous learning and skills development are highly valued.

By implementing blockchain in the verification of academic credentials, educational institutions, employers, and individuals can benefit from a more secure, efficient, and trustworthy system that mitigates the risks associated with fraud and misrepresentation of qualifications.