TITLE:
Development of Blockchain-Based Academic Credential Verification System
AUTHORS:
Noshi, Yuan Xu
KEYWORDS:
Blockchain, Academic Credential Verification, Digital Identity, QR Codes, Decentralized System, Security, Efficiency, Usability
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.11 No.9,
September
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: Advancements in technology have exposed significant vulnerabilities in academic credentialing systems; they are costly, time-consuming, and susceptible to sophisticated forms of fraud. This research proposes an innovative solution that can be implemented to make an almost complete overhaul of the traditional methods used to verify educational documents much faster, more secure, and more credible. In contrast to popular approaches that involve manual checks or third-party services, we propose a solution based on decentralized and immutable ledger tech. Similar attempts have been made before, such as the Blockers tool and Educt system, and although adequate, they need to catch up in the grand scheme of a more refined concept and interface. Our system goes further than these constraints because it uses QR codes for direct verification and a user-focused approach. A quantitative analysis utilizing Kaggle for secondary data demonstrates significant improvements: Our prototype significantly enhanced performance metrics compared to existing systems. Specifically, it facilitated a 30% increase in interactions per minute, providing a baseline of interactions from previous systems for more precise comparison. Additionally, user satisfaction improved markedly, with the prototype achieving a 40% increase in the proportion of users reporting high satisfaction, based on comparative satisfaction rates from conventional systems. By integrating the use of the prototype, improved security and organizational performance were seen, and students, teachers, and employers’ feedback showed high satisfaction due to the usability and effectiveness of the developed system. It has been observed that the blockchain system is handy in this regard as it can easily connect and interoperate with the existing education systems while providing pseudonymity and scalability without compromising security. Future developments of the software include the new directions of its application in the further expansion of the guidance section, the enhancement of compatibility issues, and regular safety scan checks.