Certificates are important in education as well as resource management. Individual learning records are becoming increasingly important for people’s professional advancement. Naturally, these instructional materials should be kept in a permanent record that cannot be tampered with.
With the ever-increasing and changing usage of computer systems in numerous aspects of modern life, we live in an increasingly linked world. As a result, all of this has led to an increase in the number of security dangers and abuses that digital systems are confronting. Consequently, other technologies must be replaced or developed to safeguard digital systems from a variety of security risks and to provide levels of protection and trust.
Some institutions are already using blockchain technology to track and verify academic credentials. Blockchain technology is a distributed digital ledger that is time-stamped and tamper-resistant. It can use a majority technique to validate and protect transactions and update information in a transparent, synchronised, and decentralised way. A unique characteristic of these databases is that they cannot be changed without the agreement of a large number of the distributed database’s custodians (and users). Cryptographic functions guarantee that transactions can be verified as coming from a certain identity and that transactions may be completed without the requirement for a central authority.
But what are the benefits of using Blockchain to store students’ certificates?
- It Provides long-term storage. If the institution wants to go at older records, it is always preferable to search through digital records rather than digging through stacks of physical paperwork for those certificates.
- Prevents the certificate from being tampered with. The employer can be confident that the applicant’s academic records are valid if they are housed on the National Academic Depository.
- Assists the institution in saving time and money when it comes to printing certificate papers. If everything goes digital as anticipated, the cost will undoubtedly decrease.
- Assists the employer in lowering the expenses and time associated with conventional certificate verification by providing proof of achievement and participation.
- Support informal learning, such as online learning and boot camps, in becoming more safe, trustworthy, and acknowledged, which has lately been underappreciated and lacking in official certifications.
- Students assume full responsibility for safeguarding and sharing their credentials without the assistance of a third party.
The National Academic Depository (NAD) is a digital database maintained by the Ministry of Human Resources (MHRD) of the Government of India to archive students’ degree certificates and honours. The Ministry of Human Resources (MHRD) of the Government of India established the National Academic Depository (NAD) intending to build a digital database of all academic records of students across the country. The main purpose was to take another step toward the national goal of developing a digital India and also to stop the production of fake degree certificates and accolades. Students can come forward and submit their certificates and achievements to the National Academic Depository until the country has been completely digitalized.
Blockchain technology is a great example of a system that offers interesting qualities like transparency, trust, and decentralisation, as well as untampered and permanent data recordings. It is vital to include such technology into systems for granting student credentials, especially when the persons are required to get many certifications. It is critical to preserve these certificates in a form that is permanent, not tampered with, and not counterfeit.