TRUE – Transparency of Learning Outcomes through Blockchain Technology Erasmus Project

Project Title

TRUE – Transparency of Learning Outcomes through Blockchain Technology

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Recognition, transparency, certification

Project Summary

Blockchain technology is basically blocks, which are linked using cryptography. Each block contains a cryptographic hash (i.e. a one-way function, that is practically infeasible to invert) of the previous block, a timestamp, and transaction data; therefore, every block is highly resistant to modification of the data. For these characteristics it is also known as “Distributed ledger technology” and is characterised as any technology that enables the keeping and sharing of records in a distributed and decentralized way, while at the same time ensuring its integrity through the use of a validation consensus protocol with cryptographic signatures.

In Europe, within the educational sphere, there is little standardisation of student records. Currently, education received at tertiary level is represented by credits of learning using one of two credit standards, namely ECTS (in Higher Education) or ECVET (in Vocational Education). However, metadata standards (i.e. a common understanding, interpretation and use of the same type of data) do not exist for these credit systems.

All degrees issued within the European Higher Education Area are accompanied by a diploma supplement that describes the degree in standard terms. However, again there are no standards for computer-readable data for diploma supplements. Paper-based higher education diplomas, school certificates and extra training course certificates get lost and the original can be lost over time, while their common digital version can be counterfeit or not easily recognised. When put in blockchain, the information about a student’s grades and the courses that have been undertaken will not get lost, and it is impossible to change or falsify the information.

The EU has launched in 2018 the ‘EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum’, with the aim to accelerate blockchain innovation and the development of the blockchain ecosystem within the EU, mapping relevant projects and initiatives with the intention to build a European knowledge hub on blockchain. According to the paper “Blockchain in Education” report, issued in 2017 by the Joint Research Centre (the European Commission’s science and knowledge service), using the blockchain for the automatic recognition and transfer of credits would make a learner’s entire educational history in terms of those credits instantly visible and verifiable.

TRUE aims to develop an integrated training strategy for the uptake of blockchain technology in HEIs across Europe. The project seeks to develop the necessary outputs to implement its solution, such as:
– a baseline knowledge pack about the potential of blockchain technology adapted to HE sector, including a Competence Framework for the Blockchain Expert;
– training contents and tools addressed to HEIs’ staff about blockchain technology through a MOOC (Massive Online and Open Course);
– a Serious Game providing an innovative learning experience on how the blockchain technology works for HEI’s staff.

This is also in line with the wide Bologna process reform and the latest goal of creating the European universities of the future: a unique platform in which HEIs cooperate creating links between higher education institutions, research institutions, employers and the wider community. HEIs staff should possess the right skills to enable blockchain technology potentials.
Right now, the only way to know if someone graduated from your university is to verify it personally by contacting the registrar or university administrative personnel. What if individual faculty or programs could play the role of “authorized credential issuers,” time-stamping accomplishments on the blockchain that can be validated instantaneously?

In short, blockchain can help to solve one of higher education’s most burdensome challenges: making the case for a system where many people keep verified, trusted information. Universities will no longer need to spend thousands of hours verifying alumni’s study paths and degrees for external bodies, as they do today.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 395104 Eur

Project Coordinator

MAIEUTICA COOPERATIVA DE ENSINO SUPERIOR CRL & Country: PT

Project Partners

• European Blockchain Association e.V.
• AMARIS FRANCE SAS
• Lidi Smart Solutions
• INSTITUTO POLITECNICO DO PORTO
• ITA-SUOMEN YLIOPISTO
• AINTEK SYMVOULOI EPICHEIRISEON EFARMOGES YPSILIS TECHNOLOGIAS EKPAIDEFSI ANONYMI ETAIREIA
• EUROCREA MERCHANT SRL