Blockchain for Credential Verification in Global Online Education

DOI: https://doi.org/10.63345/ijre.v14.i7.2

Dr. Rajneesh Kumar Singh

Sharda University

Greater Noida India
rajneesh.singh@sharda.ac.in

Abstract
Blockchain technology has emerged as a groundbreaking innovation with the capacity to redefine credential verification in global online education. Traditional credentialing systems rely heavily on centralized authorities—universities, accreditation bodies, and third‑party services—to issue, store, and validate academic records. These legacy architectures are fraught with vulnerabilities: single points of failure, susceptibility to data tampering, inefficient manual processes, and high overheads associated with verification requests. In contrast, blockchain’s decentralized ledger offers a cryptographically secure, immutable record of credential issuance and verification, accessible in real time to authorized parties without the need for intermediaries. This expanded abstract delves into the multifaceted benefits of blockchain in educational credentialing: enhanced security through tamper‑evident design; improved transparency and auditability via consensus mechanisms; streamlined workflows through smart contracts; and increased learner autonomy by granting perpetual ownership of digital credentials. Furthermore, the abstract outlines key challenges—including scalability constraints on public blockchains, the complexity of cross‑platform interoperability, regulatory uncertainty, and data privacy considerations—that must be addressed to realize widespread adoption. By summarizing survey insights from 100 stakeholders (students, educators, and employers) alongside thematic commentary from expert interviews, this abstract frames the manuscript’s contributions: a comprehensive analysis of stakeholder perceptions, a robust mixed‑methods methodology, and actionable recommendations for pilot implementation, governance models, and policy alignment. Ultimately, this work provides a roadmap for educational institutions, technology providers, and policymakers to harness blockchain’s potential in creating a global, trustworthy ecosystem for digital credential verification.

Keywords
Blockchain, Credential Verification, Online Education, Decentralization, Academic Credentials

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