Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) is partnering with the smart contract platform TomoChain to develop a blockchain-based archive for the issuing of diplomas.
According to a press release, the initiative is called the National Qualifications Archive (NQA) and will provide a standardized process at the national level to ensure that diplomas uploaded to the TomoChain blockchain are accurate.
Diplomas are typically sent out by academic and training institutions to agencies and employers. This widespread practice can facilitate academic fraud, stemming from the fact that verifying educational qualifications of candidates can be lengthy and expensive. With the NQA, agencies and employers will be provided with an economical way to verify diplomas and curb academic fraud.
Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc says technology and innovation will drive future developments, and help resolve long-standing issues faster.
“Diploma and certificate management is one of the issues that need to be renovated by technology, which is significant for the whole society and cost-efficient for the diploma management system in particular and the education sector in general.”
TomoChain’s blockchain technology could help eliminate counterfeit diplomas in Vietnam, according to TomoChain CEO Long Vuong.
“Currently, storing data evidence on a public chain is a global trend due to its economical, secure and confidential advantages. I strongly believe that this system lays a solid foundation for adopting cutting-edge digital technologies in the world to e-government 4.0 in Vietnam, helping us to walk along with other innovative and progressive countries over the world.”
Singapore-based smart contract platform TomoChain started the development of the NQA in October. After a successful trial run, the NQA is expected to be rolled out in 2021.
The NQA marks Vietnam’s largest adoption of blockchain technology that is driven by core features such as transparency and immutability. It is also the first instance that blockchain technology has been adopted at the national level.
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