BLOCKCHAIN CERTIFICATE

Raffles University has launched the blockchain certificate in 2021. The launching of blockchain certificates is expected to be a common practice among tertiary education in the near future. 

The university has contracted a company called Accredify to issue final transcripts and awards using blockchain technology. Accredify is ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certified, a globally recognised information security management system standard. For more information about Accredify, please visit their website at https://accredify.io/.

Graduates will no longer receive hard copy certificates. Instead, they will be given an .opencert file and link to Accredify. Activation of the link will display digital versions of their certificate. Employers and other Universities can use the link to verify the authenticity of student transcripts and certificates.

Students can print a hard copy of their certificate if they wish to do so. However, if asked to verify their authenticity, they must give the link to the person requesting the information.

The technology has the following main benefits for students:

1. Students do not have to worry about keeping their transcripts and certificates safe. They only need to save the link.
2. Students do not have to worry about losing transcripts and certificates. Before blockchain, if students lost their certificate, they have to request a re-issue. This is time-consuming and costly. Now, if they lose the link, SAS can send them the link digitally.
3. Time-saving. The time to approve, issue and receive the file is much quicker than waiting for printed certificates to be mailed or picked up.
4.  Cost. The cost of issuing an e-certificate is much less than a printed version.