- ECPI University in Virginia has announced that it will be issuing degrees through blockchain
- This allows potential employers to instantly verify credentials without the need for contacting schools
- They are one of the first universities in the world to do so
One of the telltale signs of the rise of blockchain technology is the fact that it is being used at an institutional level. New York University announced earlier this year that it would begin offering a course in blockchain technology, for example.
However, a school in Virginia seems to be taking this a step further by offering not just courses but issuing degrees through the use of blockchain technology.
ECPI University, based in Virginia Beach, announced on Tuesday, the 30th of October 2018 that henceforth, graduates from their institution would be able to obtain their degrees through a DLT based platform.
They are one of the first universities to do so in the world and this could serve as a huge advantage for students as they will no longer have to contact the University directly to have their proof of attendance sent to potential employers.
“This is the future of retaining your vital academic records independent of any issuing entity,” said ECPI University Chief Information Officer Jeff Arthur. “You retain proof and control of your achievements indefinitely.”
How this works
Graduates’ proof of attendance will be uploaded on a blockchain platform which can be assessed at any time.
When the graduate is applying for a job or any other position, their credentials can be instantly verified without the need to contact the school, which is often a tedious and time-consuming process.
The adoption of this, though it is still in its early stages, could help do away with older practices and further integrate blockchain into daily life.
Also, as blockchain is difficult to hack or tamper with, the verification of credentials will be more effective. The records are also permanent in nature, meaning once they are put up, they can always be accessed, giving the graduate a great deal of power.
As mentioned earlier, this practice is in its early stages and ECPI is one of the first in the world to adopt this. With time, however, it could become the norm around the world.
