University Students at KAUST KSA issued digital diplomas in 2018

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and Learning Machine Technologies at the end of 2018 become the first institution in the Middle East to issue Blockcerts, blockchain-anchored credentials. Digital diplomas were issued to all KAUST students graduating in December 2018 using the Learning Machine Issuing System. The diplomas were anchored to the blockchain using Blockcerts, the global open standard for portable, secure, and digital records that can be verified as official for a lifetime without cost. Developed jointly by MIT Media Lab and Learning Machine, Blockcerts are now led by a global community of contributors.

Jason Roos, CIO of KAUST, explained the University's motivation for using Blockcerts: “It is imperative that we as a world-renowned science and technology university take a leadership position not only in the development of new and innovative technologies but also the adoption and deployment of emerging technologies that provide significant value to our students and alumni. We are excited to partner with Learning Machine to leverage the unmodifiable properties of blockchain while issuing digital diplomas, which will facilitate more secure and easier means of verification for our future graduates.” It is imperative that we as a world-renowned science and technology university take a leadership position not only in the development of new and innovative technologies, but also the adoption and deployment of emerging technologies that provide significant value to our students and alumni. We are excited to partner with Learning Machine to leverage the unmodifiable properties of blockchain while issuing digital diplomas, which will facilitate more secure and easier means of verification for our future graduates.

Mohammed Halawani, Manager of IT for Emerging Technology, Strategy & Performance Management, added: “It is an exciting opportunity for KAUST be the first university in the Middle East to adopt the Blockcert technology. This move will set the University at the forefront of the digital transformation happening in the Kingdom and will be a first step towards building a new digital assertion concept. We aim to define a futuristic strategic direction for KAUST using blockchain along other disruptive innovative and emerging technologies that align with KAUST vision and contributes to the realization of Vision 2030.”

Natalie Smolenski, Learning Machine SVP of Business Development, commented on the initiative: “We are excited to work with the KAUST Emerging Technology team to bring this project to life. Mohammed Halawani and his colleagues have shown true commitment to bringing the security, portability, and ownership benefits of Blockcerts to KAUST students, faculty, and staff. We sincerely look forward to our ongoing work together.”

The flexibility of Blockcerts means that documents can be anchored to any blockchain: public, private, or permissioned. Recipients receive, store, and share their digital diplomas via their Blockcerts Wallet, a free mobile app that acts as a private credentials portfolio accessible exclusively by the recipient. The recipient may choose to share their Blockcerts with any employer, government, or educational institution in the world, instantly and free, for immediate verification.

Earlier this year University of Bahrain also signed with Learning Machine to issue Digital certificates.