SA University Will Start Issuing Certificates with Blockchain Security Features to Combat Fraud
According to reports, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) intends to begin issuing degrees and certificates with blockchain security features to prevent fraud.
According to Broad Media, the certificates will aid in the prevention of counterfeiting and the false representation of qualifications. UJ was among the first universities to begin providing digital certificates to students in order to make it easier for them to recover lost certificates and share them with third parties such as potential employers.
According to reports, the South African university will begin including blockchain security features on its digital certificates in 2022.
“The new blockchain-based certificate features will improve certificate security even further.” “From this year on, certificates will have QR codes printed on them that anyone can scan with a smartphone to verify whether the information on the certificate is correct and has been legitimately issued by UJ,” said Dr. Tinus Van Zyl, senior director of Central Academic Administration at UJ.
According to Dr. Van Zyl, the public will now be able to validate UJ qualifications without having to contact the institution — simply by scanning the QR code on the certificate for free.
Prof Kinta Burger, registrar at UJ, stated that the new blockchain-based certificates will not only protect the University’s certificates from fraud, but will also preserve the institution’s reputation and the integrity of qualifications.
“UJ is dedicated to implementing new technologies to improve systems and service delivery.” This continuous improvement strategy and use of cutting-edge technology, made possible by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, are at the heart of our philosophy,” she explained.
These certificates will also make it easier for hiring managers to conduct background checks on potential employees — confirming that the qualifications they list on their CVs are indeed valid, as many people put false qualifications on their CVs in their desperation for work.
