Alumni Credential Verification

Blockchain Based System

MEMBERS:
Agustin, Mark
Bacaron, John Remster
Blas, Pamela
Romo, Mercy Joy
Agenda
CHAPTER 1:
Introduction​
CHAPTER 2:
Related Literature Studies
​CHAPTER 3:
Methodology
CHAPTER 4:
Results and Discussion
CHAPTER 5:
Conclusion and Recommendation
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Project Context
Purpose and Description
Project Objectives
Statement of the Problem
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 4

Introduction
The article discusses the problem of validating student certificates
throughout the education cycle, which can be time-consuming and
prone to tampering. The researcher proposes a blockchain-based
system that can solve this problem by using digital signatures and a
smart contract that cannot be changed. This system can help
companies verify the legitimacy of a job applicant's credentials,
reducing the risk of hiring individuals with fake credentials. The
researcher aims to help companies hire more competent employees
and make the hiring process hassle-free. The system can also
discourage people from using fake credentials.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 5

Project context
Academic counterfeiting is a longstanding issue in the academic
community.
The project aims to generate digitized certificates that can be
uploaded to the blockchain.
Forgeries and falsification of documents are considered fraud
and serious crimes.
The "Alumni Credential Verification blockchain Base System" is
proposed to verify credentials given only by the university and
ensure the security and legitimacy of the documents.
The researchers aim to take action against certificates that are
not verified and provide a secure relationship between
companies and institutions.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 6

Purpose and description

Academic counterfeiting is a longstanding issue in the academic
community, especially in the Philippines where forged
documents are used for employment purposes.
The project aims to generate digitized certificates that can be
uploaded to the blockchain and easily verified using
cryptographic functions.
Forgeries and falsification of documents are considered fraud
and serious crimes.
The "Alumni Credential Verification blockchain Base System" is
proposed to verify credentials given only by the university and
ensure the security and legitimacy of the documents.
The researchers aim to take action against certificates that are
not verified and provide a secure relationship between
companies and institutions.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 7

Project objectives
1.4.1. The researcher develops a Blockchain based system that
allows to verify credentials.
1.4.2. Evaluate the Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain
based System with the help of I.T Expert using the ISO 25010.
1.4.3. Evaluate the Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain
based System with the help of Blockchain software developer using
the ISO 25010.
1.4.4. The Alumni, Registrar staff and other target user to evaluates
the Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain based System using
the ISO 25010
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 8

Statement of the
problem
This study aims to create a decentralized Alumni Credential
Verification Blockchain based System that enables the student
preserves their credential and certification in a secure digital asset.
This research also intends to answer the following question.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 9

1.5.1. How does the researcher develop a system that can verify
credentials?
1.5.2. How will the I.T experts and evaluate the system analysis
using the ISO 25010 in terms of:
1.4.3.1. Functional Suitability.
1.4.3.2. Performance Efficiency.
1.4.3.3. Security.
1.4.3.4. Usability
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 10

1.5.3. How will the Blockchain Software Developer experts and

evaluate the system analysis using the ISO 25010 in terms of:
1.4.3.1. Functional Suitability.
1.4.3.2. Performance Efficiency.
1.4.3.3. Security.
1.4.3.4. Usability
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 11

1.5.4. How The Alumni, Registrar staff the target user to evaluates
the Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain based System using
the ISO 25010:
1.5.5.1 Functionality
1.5.5.2 Usability
1.5.3. How will the Blockchain Software Developer experts and
evaluate the system analysis using the ISO 25010 in terms of:
1.4.3.1. Functional Suitability.
1.4.3.2. Performance Efficiency.
1.4.3.3. Security.
1.4.3.4. Usability
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 12

SCOPE AND
LIMITATION
This project will benefit many companies by providing them with a
legitimate credential certificate that they can verify in just a short
amount of time and also for the student to have access to their own
credential by logging in the Alumni Credential Verification
Blockchain based System”.
The limitation of this project is that it only verifies
certificates and diplomas. Other material like skill, test score,
grading sheet, etc. are not included in the system and cannot be
verified. Another limitation is it only verifies what the user and
institution issued, stored in the system. Other students who are not
enrolled in the institution where the system is deployed cannot
access the system. Even with this limitation, it can still be a huge
help to reduce fraud and build trust to the institution and the
companies.
 CHAPTER 2
Related Literature of Studies
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 14

Foreign
Revitalizing blockchain technology potentials for smooth academic records
management and verification in low-income countries
According to Alnafrah and Mouselli (2021), the issuance, maintenance and
documentation of academic records is an urgent requirement after finishing
a degree. Therefore, it needs improvement due to continuous adaptation of
students and teachers in institutions. Along with these are the problems
associated with issues among universities. Therefore, the researchers
proposed this blockchain-based platform to verify and issue student
credentials.

A framework to manage smart educational certificates and thwart forgery on a

permissioned blockchain
Since the digital world era, there are changes of doing a traditional way.
Transactions can be done online including banking, shopping, etc. The
documents of this resultants are stored on a centralized and is controlled by
a single admin. In which, this can be poses of danger and are at risk of
attacks from unknown authority. Also, there's a chance that the admin be in-
charge of modifying, deleting of existing data due to personal reason. This
explains that today's technology can easy to forge hard and soft copies of the
documents. In fact, there are numerous incidents where credentials of
students and institutions being forged which makes the quality of education
system weaker. (Dumpeti and Kavuri, 2021)
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 15

Blockchain-technology-supported platforms for diamond authentication and

certification in luxury supply chains
On this research, the authors describe that the consumers of diamonds do have
concern regarding the authenticity of their purchases as it is also this proves the
quality of the diamond. Since the traditional way of certifying an authentic
jewelry are issued on a paper that specify many details, this cannot be proved
due to a certain problem. First, it can be faked. Second, the source of
information is more likely less clear. However, with the use of blockchain
technology, a platform like Everledger2 can provide a unique digital thumb-
print differ in each diamond in terms of its appearance and other qualities. And
with the help of this technology, this can certify every diamond permanently for
everybody. (Choi, 2019)

A blockchain-based models for student information systems

The author states that the blockchain are a new way for achieving of data
integrity by using decentralized which stores a good data. As well as it can be
implemented within a management that automates a system for private sectors
of an institution. Since education is a core area were a person need to share and
modify their information, these can take place in different measure of security
levels. With the help of blockchain, students have freedom accessing their
personal data. This technology stores data that is immutable and permanent
data encrypted using cryptographic algorithms onto decentralized structure.
(Mohammed Ali, Farouk, & Sharaf, 2021)
 Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 16

Digital Certifications in Moroccan Universities: Concepts, Challenges, and

Solutions
In Morocco, digital signature is a service where it is certified under the law
and is related as a confidence service for the digital transactions. Barid eSign
is an online certification were approved by an authority of Moroccan State.
A service which provides strong authentication, digital signature, etc. This
paper proposes a method a much secure and decentralized model under
blockchain technology on issuing certification. (Litoussi et al., 2022)

Blockchain For Educational Certificate Distribution

According to Asiri (2020), that the certificates and diplomas certifies a
person as a result of attending college which has important role in applying a
job. Implying that these credentials are not just a paper. As these documents
is a proof that the student is graduated from a university as well as a proof of
their skills. The following are some drawbacks of a paper credentials. (1)
These credentials need to be manually issued and verified. (2) The process of
issuing this certificate is time-consuming. And can be forged and buy
through a mill diploma website. With blockchain technology, as a
distributed ledger technology, this enables much higher level of security. The
main advantage of using this technology is by using cryptographic hashing
which provide unchangeable features.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 17

Blockchain for Education: A New Credentialing Ecosystem

A part of this research article the author describes the value of
blockchain technology which can be a benefit for education. This
technology let everyone to validate their credentials and
qualifications and to do this with high measures of security. As it
avoids record forgery and fraud. Also, this empowers everyone by
giving complete control over their data. (Smolenski, 2021)
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 18

Local
Blockchain Technology as a Competitive Advantage for Higher Education
Institutions in the Philippines
The trust that blockchain delivers to the organization is so great that clients'
trust continuously grows. All stakeholders concerned in a student's growth
will be using blockchain to keep track records. All data is immutable and
transparent. Existing challenges, worries, and dilemmas are resolved in real
time, providing a huge competitiveness. The use of blockchain in education
has various applications. Digital verification and certification are one of
them, a blockchain platform based on Ethereum that schools can design and
use. (Salandanan, 2020)
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 19

CredenceLedger: A Permissioned Blockchain for Verifiable Academic

Credentials

These documents are often shared by recipients with another institution or

third parties, such as an employer, for ethical and useful objectives. A third
party or entity must confirm the authenticity of a document by calling the
original provider and asking if the certificate was truly issued by them.
Furthermore, the original issuer may check their centralized or localized
certificate databases. If the original issuer lacks a database to offer, the
traditional method of verifying the security measures embedded into the
hardcopy certificate will be used. As a result, document verification takes
time and can be hard or simple depending on the institution.
The decentralized verification of academic credentials presented in this study
is built on a private blockchain technology, specifically the open source
Multichain. (Arenas & Fernandez, 2018)
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 20

Blockchain technology in the Philippines: Status, trends, and ways

forward

According to researchers that the blockchain technology has

become a major list of recorded data, commonly referred to as
blocks, that are connected in a network utilizing encryption. Every
block in the blockchain has its own cryptographic hash based on the
date stamp of the preceding block, as well as transaction records
(i.e., Merkle tree). It operates on open ledger concepts and takes
pleasure in the way it monitors and stores data, develops data trust,
and reduces intermediaries. A public blockchain, a private
blockchain, or a combination of public and private blockchain are
the three basic element types of blockchain technology. The aim
behind this type of blockchain technology is to strictly provide an
authorized person the access that is meant for them in a particular
network. This process avoids information from leaking to those
who do not have access to it. (Bongo & Culaba, 2019)
CHAPTER 3
Methodology
System Design
Research Design
Research Setting
Population and Sample
Statistical Tool
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 22

System design
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 23

Stages/ phases:

planning
Assign roles to each member
Gather information related to the topic
The team chooses a title that suits the project best.
Ends with finalizing all the requirements
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 24

Stages/ phases:

DESIGN

Conceptual Framework
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 25

Flowchart
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 26

Ethereum blockchain and smart contract Diagram

Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 27

Merkle Tree Diagram

Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 28

Stages/ phases:

development
Visual Studio Code 2022 was used to develop the Ethereum
blockchain, smart contract, merkle tree, and front-end of the
system.
Node.js was installed to install the dependencies of the program.
Ganache-truffle suite was used to run the smart contract and
provide an ETH coin to test the project in web3 browser.
Truffle migrate is used to deploy contracts and select a host or
server to run them on.
Ganache RPC server was used to test the system.
Metamask extension was downloaded and installed to launch the
system in web3 server.
Merkle tree algorithm was used to provide hash for each
certificate, and the certificates were uploaded to the system with
the json file extension.
The company can verify the validity of the student's credentials
by checking the merkle root.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 29

Testing and debugging

The researcher uses various methods to verify uploaded certificates,
including changing the file content and extension. They promptly fix
any errors and monitor transactions using etherscan ropsten testnet
network. Only certificates with a merkle root added to the blockchain
can be verified by the system.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 30

Feedback and evaluation

A user evaluation form will be used to judge the system and determine
any necessary changes. Graduating students will test the system and
provide feedback on usability, functionality, and experience. A software
developer with blockchain experience will evaluate the system's
technical aspects and validity.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 31

Implementation and
deployment
During system deployment, users are guided through the interface to
create an account, manage their information and limit company access.
Companies can only access the verification tab and student
information. Companies can search an address tampered on the
credential to verify its authenticity, and if verified, it means the
credential was issued by the institution with a digital signature that
cannot be tampered with or deleted.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 32

Research design
This project utilizes quantitative research particularly as descriptive
since gathering of data will be survey basis. Through surveys,
researchers will also be aware of the system's full potential. The goal of
the study is to evaluate the system as well as to see its effectiveness and
advantages in which the future user can obtain.

Research SETTING
The study will be conducted through hybrid meetings, in which the
research setting will occur inside selected institutions and Zoom
Meeting applications. The idea of this setting is to have a flexible way of
conducting evaluation due to limited access to in -person surveys amidst
pandemic season.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 33

POPULATION AND SAMPLE

This study will use stratified sampling since the survey questionnaire
will be distributed according to respondents’ criteria and role as a user
of the system. The researchers will have the following respondents: :
(12) Twelve alumni from institution selected, male or female; Three (3)
Registrar staff; (2) Two I.T Expert, 21 years old or above, male or
female, with experience of teaching related to I.T field for 2 years and
above; and (3) Three Blockchain Experts, starting 23 years old, male or
female, with at least 3-5 years of experience as blockchain developer, the
selected participant of blockchain developer are from I.T social media
server. The respondents will be a total of 20.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 34

RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
The survey will consist of 4 parts. First part is providing a consent form
to be answered by respondents to assure their safety. For the second
part, their personal information to be collected that will be used on a
project. Third, a survey in which the following question will evaluate
the system performance. Last, the respondents are open to give
feedback regarding their thoughts on the project and the option to send
them information about the survey. The questionnaire to be answered
by the respondents consist of information that can be used for our
system and some are optional, in which he/she who will take part of the
test will have the choice to answer or not. After the testing and survey,
answers will be hidden and only the team and specific respondent will
have access to view the survey again.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 35

RESEARCH ETHICS
The research team follows the Data Privacy Act of 2012 to ensure
participant safety. Informed consent is obtained through a consent
form, formal letters, and selective disclosure of participant information.
Personal data is limited and used only for the project's benefit. Data is
stored securely and disposed of using methods such as shredding and
wiping. Extra measures are taken to avoid risks during the project, and
there is no undue inducement since the system is built on a non-
monetized server with free materials.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 36

STATISTICAL TREATMENT
Mean was used to assign a quantitative value to a criterion in the table.
Using the average result The Likert’s Scale will be used by the
researchers as a statistical instrument to assess the certificate
verification blockchain based system as well as the front-end of the
system’s capacity as an evaluation by the respondents and professionals
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 37

WEIGHTED MEAN
An alternative measure of dispersion is the mean deviation equivalent to the
average absolute deviation from the mean:

Where:

x = Mean

x1 = elements or number

w = weights

i= count
CHAPTER 4
Result and Discussion
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 39

Result and discussion

The researchers utilized Agile Methodology to test the system in a short
amount of time to identify development issues. Initial testing successfully
established a connection between the system and the cryptocurrency wallet
for transactions. The developers conducted a project demonstration with
Blockchain and IT experts and users, receiving feedback on the potential of
the system and the listing of authorized wallet addresses. The developer's
wallet will serve as the central authority, inputting authorized wallets,
institute names, credential information, department heads, and courses
offered. Users under the institute will input the names and courses of
alumni who graduated from their college.

The system was designed through the use of ReactJS for a simple and
friendly user interface. The system may identify the legitimacy of the
alumni as well as their certificate that may later be added by the institution
such as college diploma. Results can be viewed by the authorities that do
background check for important manners.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System
40

Table 6.0: Summary of Evaluation Results by IT Professional

Criteria Mean Result

Functional Suitability 3.50 Highly Acceptable

Performance Efficiency 3.66 Highly Acceptable

Security 3.50 Highly Acceptable

Usability 3.41 Acceptable

Total Mean: 3.51 Highly Acceptable

Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System
41

Table 11.0: Summary of Evaluation Results by Blockchain Developers

Criteria Mean Result

Functional Suitability 4 Highly Acceptable

Performance Efficiency 3.53 Highly Acceptable

Security 4 Highly Acceptable

Usability 3.85 Highly Acceptable

 42

Table 14.0: Summary of Evaluation Results by Alumni

Criteria Mean Result

Functional Suitability 3.27 Acceptable

Usability 3.63 Highly Acceptable

Total Mean 3.45 Acceptable

Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 43

Table 17.0: Summary of Evaluation Results by Registrar

Criteria Mean Result

Functional Suitability 3.77 Highly Acceptable

Usability 3.68 Highly Acceptable

Total Mean 3.72 Highly Acceptable

Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 44

Table 20.0: Summary of Evaluation Results by Student

Criteria Mean Result

Functional Suitability 4 Highly Acceptable

Usability 3.86 Highly Acceptable

Total Mean 3.93 Highly Acceptable

 CHAPTER 5
Conclusion and Recommendation
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 46

Conclusion
The conclusion of the research is that the Alumni Credentials
Verification Blockchain Based System is effective in preventing the
alteration or forgery of credentials with a digital signature. The use of
smart contract as the main algorithm of the system was successful. The
evaluation results from IT professionals, Blockchain developers, Institute
Registrars, Alumni, and Students showed that the system met the ISO
25010 standard criteria for Functional Suitability, Performance
Efficiency, Security, and Usability, with a total mean of 3.51 or Highly
Acceptable. Blockchain Professionals rated the system with a total mean
of 3.75 or Highly Acceptable. The system provides necessary
functionalities, usability, and security that helps the user.

The study evaluated the system based on the ISO 25010 standard
and the respondents, including the Institute Registrar, alumni, and
students, successfully categorized the system as highly acceptable for
functional suitability and usability. The alumni evaluation resulted in an
acceptable rating for functional suitability and usability. The researcher
concludes that the system offers the necessary functions to the users.
Alumni Credential Verification Blockchain Based System 47

recommendation
The study aimed to create a system for immutable credentials that
employees can use to verify the authenticity of their credentials. The
system has its own digital signature for verification, and the objectives
were achieved. The researcher recommends deploying the contract to a
smart chain test net and connecting the system to Google Analytics. The
system should only have necessary functions, and future researchers
should use an evaluation tool relevant to functional suitability,
performance efficiency, security, and usability.
Presentation title 48

MEET OUR TEAM

ROMO, MERCY JOY C. BACARON, JOHN BLAS, PAMELA S. AGUSTIN, MARK B.

REMSTER G.
DUELIST CONTROLLER SENTINEL
THANK YOU!
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