Academic certificate fraud is a persistent problem across developing economies, undermining trust between graduates, employers, and higher education institutions. In Nigeria, this has prompted a federal mandate requiring every employer to verify staff credentials; yet existing verification processes remain manual, slow, and easily circumvented. This paper proposed, implemented, and evaluated a fully decentralized academic certificate management framework built on the Ethereum blockchain, leveraging Solidity smart contracts, the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) for off-chain document storage, QR-code-enabled instant verification, and on-chain revocation.The system was deployed and tested on the Ethereum Sepolia testnet using Hardhat 2.19.4 and ethers.js 6.x. Results show that issuing a single certificate costs a fraction of a cent, that batch issuance lowers this cost further, that verification is free for employers, and that the system correctly detects fabricated or altered certificates in the overwhelming majority of cases while cutting verification time from days to seconds. These findings demonstrate that blockchain-based credential management is technically sound, affordable, and readily deployable in resource-constrained institutional settings, offering a practical path toward restoring trust in academic credentials across Nigerian and other African universities.
Pemalsuan ijazah digital menjadi permasalahan yang dapat mengurangi kepercayaan terhadap keaslian dokumen akademik. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengembangkan sistem verifikasi ijazah digital berbasis blockchain untuk menjamin integritas dan keaslian dokumen. Sistem dibangun dengan mengintegrasikan algoritma SHA-256, Merkle Tree, digital signature, dan blockchain. Proses verifikasi dilakukan melalui pembangkitan hash dokumen, pembentukan Merkle Root, serta pencocokan Merkle Root dan digital signature dengan data referensi yang tersimpan pada blockchain. Pengujian dilakukan menggunakan 14 dokumen yang terdiri atas 1 ijazah asli dan 13 ijazah yang telah dimodifikasi pada berbagai komponen data. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan bahwa sistem mampu mengidentifikasi seluruh dokumen sesuai kondisi sebenarnya dengan Accuracy Verification Rate sebesar 100%. Setiap perubahan data menghasilkan nilai hash dan Merkle Root yang berbeda sehingga dapat dideteksi secara akurat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa integrasi SHA-256, Merkle Tree, digital signature, dan blockchain efektif dalam meningkatkan keamanan, integritas, serta keandalan proses verifikasi ijazah digital.
Halek Mu’min, Denny Bernardus Kurnia Wahyudono, Thomas Stefanus Kaihatu
This investigation develops and validates Blockchain Utilization Capability as a novel construct fundamentally reconceptualizing complex enterprise technology adoption by addressing critical limitations in conventional frameworks assuming direct antecedent-intention relationships. Through cross-sectional survey methodology examining 300 Indonesian SMEs actively engaged with blockchain platforms, we integrate Technology-Organization-Environment Framework with Technology Acceptance Model, positioning capability as central mediating mechanism analyzed using PLS-SEM with bootstrapping procedures. Results reveal complete mediation configurations wherein organizational infrastructure, environmental pressures, technological features, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use operate exclusively through capability development rather than directly influencing adoption intentions. Organizational dimensions demonstrate substantial effects on capability formation, while perceived ease of use exhibits paradoxical negative associations through suppression mechanisms, with the construct achieving superior predictive performance explaining considerable variance in adoption intentions. We introduce Capability-Mediated TAM, demonstrating perceptual beliefs require translation into organizational capabilities preceding complex technology adoption influence, bridging previously disconnected frameworks by revealing common capability-building pathways through which diverse antecedents operate, transforming TOE from descriptive taxonomy into dynamic process architecture. Findings establish that organizations should prioritize systematic capability development through phased approaches emphasizing organizational readiness, formal governance, and cross-functional integration preceding production implementations, recognizing capability building as essential rather than optional pathway toward blockchain adoption success.
The increasing digitalization of higher education has created growing demands for secure and transparent academic data management. As a background, conventional academic information systems remain vulnerable to data manipulation, unauthorized access, and difficulties in verifying the authenticity of academic records. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the role of blockchain technology in enhancing academic data security and transparency within higher education institutions. The method employed in this research is a quantitative approach using a survey questionnaire distributed to 173 respondents consisting of students, academic staff, and administrative personnel from various higher education institutions. The collected data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships between blockchain technology adoption, academic data security, and academic transparency. The results reveal that blockchain technology has a significant positive effect on academic data security by providing decentralized data storage, cryptographic protection, and immutable transaction records. In addition, blockchain implementation significantly improves academic transparency by enabling reliable verification, traceability, and authenticity of academic information and credentials. The findings suggest that blockchain technology can minimize the risk of data tampering while strengthening stakeholder trust in academic information systems. In conclusion, blockchain technology serves as an effective solution for improving academic data security and transparency, contributing to the development of a trustworthy and data-driven governance framework in higher education institutions.
The study aimed to investigate the perceived application of Blockchain technology among accountants, auditors, bankers, and other related professionals in Iraq and the statistical association between this perceived application and financial-information reliability, based on respondents’ perceptions of financial-information reliability. The study was designed as a field study using a five-point Likert scale. The analysis was based on 150 valid responses. Blockchain application was measured using ten items, and financial information reliability was measured using another ten items. Cronbach's alpha coefficient, descriptive statistics, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, and simple linear regression were used. The results of the Blockchain scale showed acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.775), while the financial information reliability scale showed very high internal consistency (α = 0.989). The mean scores were 4.232 and 4.221, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient was positive but not statistically significant (r = 0.146, p = 0.076), and the regression model was also not statistically significant (R² = 0.021, F(1, 148) = 3.203, p = 0.076). The results indicate positive perceptions of Blockchain technology and the reliability of financial information. However, the current data do not provide sufficient evidence at the 5% significance level that perceived Blockchain application is statistically significantly associated with financial-information reliability.
Indonesia's national engineering accreditation system faces systemic inefficiencies, governance limitations, and data integrity challenges that hinder international recognition under the Washington Accord and impede the global mobility of engineering graduates. These shortcomings are compounded by fragmented audit trails, opaque decision-making processes, and vulnerability to credential fraud, which undermine trust in accreditation outcomes. This study aims to design a model-based system engineering framework for a blockchain-enabled accreditation system that enhances data integrity, transparency, and traceability to support evidence-based decision-making and Washington Accord compliance. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) guided by the PRISMA protocol was conducted, synthesizing insights from 109 selected studies on blockchain implementation in accreditation and credential verification systems. The study adopts a Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) approach using the Requirement-Functional-Logical-Physical framework to translate requirements into a structured system architecture. The proposed framework integrates Hyperledger Fabric as a permissioned blockchain network for immutable record-keeping and the InterPlanetary File System for decentralized off-chain document storage, creating a hybrid on-chain/off-chain architecture. The resulting five-layer framework comprises Participants, Digitalized Access Points, Communication, Distributed Ledgers, and Existing IT Systems layers. Key findings demonstrate that the proposed architecture significantly enhances data integrity through cryptographic verification, provides transparent and tamper-proof audit trails for all accreditation activities, enables real-time verification of document authenticity, and supports interoperability among diverse stakeholders. The framework strengthens decision-making by providing verifiable evidence for informed judgments, ensuring accountability through transparent record-keeping, and enabling cross-border trust in accreditation decisions. This research concludes that the blockchain-IPFS integrated framework offers a scalable and trustworthy pathway for transforming Indonesia's engineering accreditation system, addressing both domestic governance challenges and international compliance requirements under the Washington Accord.
Currently, the most significant threat to the validity of academic credentials in the United States is the advanced forgery of transcripts along with diploma mills. This research study addresses the potential of blockchain technology as a decentralized means to protect academic credentials. By integrating recent academic research and technical frameworks, this study analyzes the shift from centralized databases to immutable, distributed ledgers. The integration of various perspectives, including advanced zero-knowledge proof architectures as well as legal frameworks for transnational data circulation, is a major innovation of this study. Using a systematic literature review and a case study approach, the research indicates that though blockchain's potential to enhance security and automate processes through smart contracts is indeed great, a number of legal, compliance, and technical barriers have to be removed for it to be a viable option. This study proposes that the combination of artificial intelligence (AI), along with blockchain technology, provides the most secure option for U.S. higher education institutions.
Secure and transparent attendance management has become increasingly important in educational institutions as conventional attendance systems often face challenges such as proxy attendance, unauthorized record modification, and limited traceability. Most existing solutions rely on centralized databases, making them susceptible to data tampering, accidental loss, and single-point failures. This paper presents a Blockchain-Based Attendance Management System that leverages blockchain technology to provide a decentralized and immutable mechanism for recording and verifying attendance information. The proposed framework integrates a React.js-based user interface with a Node.js and Express.js backend, while Firebase Authentication and Firestore manage user authentication and application data. Attendance records are securely stored through Ethereum smart contracts executed on the Ganache blockchain network, with transaction hashes linked to Firebase for efficient retrieval and verification. This hybrid architecture combines the scalability of cloud-based data management with the integrity and transparency of blockchain technology. Once attendance is recorded, the information cannot be altered without detection, ensuring reliable auditability and improved trust among students, faculty members, and administrators. The implemented system demonstrates secure attendance recording, fast verification, and efficient transaction management while reducing the possibility of record manipulation. The proposed solution offers a practical, scalable, and cost-effective approach for modern attendance management and provides a strong foundation for future enhancements such as biometric authentication, QR code-based attendance, and cloud-enabled blockchain deployment.
Hadeer Khayoon Ashour, Noor Salah Alramadan, Hamid Mohsin Jadah
There is growing interest in using blockchain technology to overcome the flaws of legacy payment systems and banking operations, few empirical efforts have examined the possible use of blockchain by large institutions. The study examines how blockchain is changing the payment systems and banking services with a focus on Citigroup (Citi) and various Citi blockchain projects, specifically Citi Token Services. The study aims to assess the impact of blockchain’s adoption on efficiency, cost reduction, customer confidence and service accessibility. A quantitative research study was conducted in a longitudinal design, and data were analysed using multiple linear regression in the SPSS program from 2020–2024 to check the relationship between variables. The results indicate that blockchain implementation offers considerable transaction speed, operational and transactional cost reduction (up to 80 percent), increased customer trust and broader service access with 24/7 transactions. The regression model explains 51.9 percent of the variance in performance. Although promising, blockchain for banking is still in its infancy and facing a variety of challenges that need to be solved for wider application, such as scalability, regulatory compliance, and integration with existing systems.
Dodi Setiawan, Sri Sutjiningtyas, A. Eka Hermia Fitrianingsy, Ronald Naibaho · 5 authors
Blockchain consensus mechanisms are critical for ensuring security, efficiency, and scalability in decentralized networks. This study qualitatively examines ten widely used consensus algorithms—Proof of Work (PoW), Proof of Stake (PoS), Delegated PoS (DPoS), PBFT, Raft, Proof of Authority (PoA), Hybrid PoW/PoS, DAG/IOTA, Hashgraph, and Tendermint—within the research context of Bintan, Riau Islands, Indonesia. Performance was evaluated through literature review and simulated network observations, focusing on transaction throughput (TPS), latency, energy consumption, and network stability. Results indicate that DAG/IOTA and Hashgraph achieve the highest throughput with minimal latency, making them suitable for IoT and enterprise-scale applications. PoS and PoA offer energy-efficient alternatives, while PoW provides high security at the cost of high energy usage. Hybrid PoW/PoS demonstrates balanced performance across multiple metrics. Qualitative analysis highlights trade-offs among energy efficiency, throughput, latency, and decentralization. These findings provide practical guidance for selecting consensus mechanisms according to network requirements, operational constraints, and sustainability considerations, contributing a consolidated perspective on blockchain efficiency and scalability.