The Tunisian government has adopted a blockchain-based diploma verification system to combat fake educational documents.
Impact on the integrity of the public sector in Tunisia
The Tunisian government is reportedly adopting a blockchain-based diploma verification system in its institutions of higher education. The system aims to help educators eliminate fake educational documents that some Tunisians have used to secure employment.
According to the report, Tunisia began implementing a unified Arab system for Diploma Reliability Verification (UASDAV) on February 28th. UASDAV stores each diploma “as a unique, secure, tamper-proof block.” This ensures that such educational documents cannot be forged or altered.
A 2023 survey by the Tunisian Association for the Fighting Corruption found that between 2011 and 2023, an estimated 121,000 to 200,000 government officials used fake documents to secure employment. Local observers argue that this widespread fraud has great significance for the integrity and efficiency of Tunisia’s public sector.
Tunisia’s Ministry of Higher Education and Science Research has launched a project to digitalize diplomas, aiming to ensure its integrity and develop digital skills. The project aims to modernize the education sector following a collaboration agreement with the Arab League Education, Culture and Science Organizations (ALECSO).
By using blockchain to maintain the integrity of its education system, Tunisia will join two other African countries, Ethiopia and Mauritius, in leveraging its technology. Ethiopia is trying to use blockchain for student and teacher credentials, but Mauritius uses it to verify government-issued credentials. In Nigeria, some universities are experimenting with blockchain-recorded diplomas to ensure authenticity and simplify verification.
These initiatives reflect a growing awareness of the possibility of blockchains creating secure and transparent systems for certification verification.
In addition to fighting fraud, Tunisia’s digitalised diploma initiative aims to enhance academic and professional mobility by ensuring immediate recognition of diplomas, while increasing the reliability and competitiveness of Tunisian universities around the world.
