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Author
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Mutimbwa, Marshall T.
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Title
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Enhancing the Generation, Verification, and Correction of Academic Certificates Using Blockchain: Addressing the Limitations of Conventional Systems
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Abstract
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In this work, the conceptualization, development, and testing of a blockchain technology-driven system for issuing, renewal, and validation of academic certificates are presented. Regular practices of certificate administration, particularly in African universities, are usually characterized by the threat of forgery, slow validation, bureaucracy, and high cost of replacement of lost or damaged certificates. To address such challenges, an operational prototype DApp was developed from smart contracts, IPFS as a decentralized storage system, and QR code integration for instant, tamper-proof verification. A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted through integrating stakeholder surveys and interviews with system test performance on Ethereum (Sepolia) and Polygon PoS (Amoy) testnets. Findings revealed that the blockchain system could issue a certificate in around 7 seconds and validate it in under 3 seconds for under $0.003 per certificate on Polygon PoS. African university administrators' surveys showed that traditional certificate processing runs for several days, involves multiple staff members, and is operationally more than $10 per certificate. Tamper detection and revocation accuracy during testing were 100% effective, confirming the system's integrity. The study concludes that blockchain offers a secure, efficient, and scalable solution to academic certificate management. The study further highlights the need for tighter compatibility with data privacy standards, including GDPR, in order to facilitate broader institutional adoption.
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Date
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June 2025
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Publisher
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BUSE
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Keywords
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Blockchain
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Verification
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Conventional Systems
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Supervisor
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Mr. C. Chaitezvi
