In order to guarantee easy and convenient access to certificates confirming academic qualifications, Regent Business School is introducing a blockchain-based certification service.
This will ensure that graduates enjoy a seamless process for acquiring their digital certificate, whilst reducing vulnerability to fraud.
The presence of LinkedIn and other social media platforms in professional careers is proof that the digital certificate is suitable for an increasingly digital professional life.
The authentic qualifications that graduates will receive will be valid for the rest of their lives and can be quickly verified, said Dr Ronel Blom, Academic Dean at Regent Business School.
She said data storage and transfer can be carried out securely and seamlessly using blockchain technology.
“Data and all modifications shall be permanently stored in a register accessible to all. The legitimacy of the data is guaranteed when a certificate is displayed because the data is read in real-time from the blockchain. An exclusive mechanism is in place to assure the identity of the sender and the data,” she said.
Blom added that in South Africa, the scarcity of job opportunities has made falsification of academic credentials a major problem, with even prominent public figures being caught lying about their qualifications.
“There has been an exponential growth in the need for digital certificates in recent years. More and more graduates want to be able to share their qualifications electronically with potential employers, who in turn need to be able to validate these certificates quickly, easily and cost-effectively.
“Blockchain is a key innovation in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and save information in a manner which makes it impossible to change or hack.
“This is the highest level of safety promised by Regent Business School. The data is encrypted and stored in the blockchain. The material is incomprehensible without the URL access,” she said.
Blockchain has the potential to transform the educational landscape by opening new, more affordable avenues of learning and disrupting the existing relationship between private higher education institutions and students.
The introduction of blockchain certificates by Regent Business School is in keeping with Honoris United Universities’ commitment to embrace digital transformation across the student’s journey. Honoris, of which Regent Business School is a subsidiary, has formed a partnership with BC Diploma, a global leader in blockchain digital credentials.
