Blockchain Academic Registry for Universities

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Jose Iadicicco

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

495000

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will implement a decentralized, blockchain-based academic registry using Atala Prism to enhance security, efficiency, and global accessibility for universities.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

Collaboration with UTN’s university extension secretariat is essential for accessing academic data and ensuring the system meets user needs. Our project is supported by a framework agreement signed with UTN’s dean, Guillermo Oliveto.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

All developed components of our blockchain-based academic registry will be open source and hosted on GitHub, ensuring accessibility and adaptability for other universities and institutions.

As recommended by Cardano CIP-0001, all software and code will be licensed under Apache-2.0, and all docs will be licensed under CC-BY-4.0.

This approach supports our commitment to transparency, community contribution, and the global improvement of academic record management systems.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Problem Perception:

The management of academic records in universities is often centralized, leading to inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, and limited real-time accessibility. Such constraints impair the administrative efficiency and restrict the students' ability to utilize their academic records across different platforms and geographical boundaries effectively.

Approach:

Our solution employs Atala Prism, an identity management system developed on the Cardano blockchain, to establish a decentralized, secure, and transparent academic registry system. This system is designed to be universally applicable, allowing any university to adopt it. While initially developed for UTN, the open-source nature of the project ensures its adaptability to meet the specific needs of various educational institutions worldwide.

• Integration with Atala Prism: Integrating Atala Prism will manage digital identities within the academic registry, ensuring that all credentials are immutably recorded and verifiable across institutions.

• Smart Contracts: We will develop custom smart contracts to automate processes such as record creation, updates, verification, and sharing. This approach not only reduces administrative overhead but also enhances the responsiveness and reliability of the registry system.

Engagement:

The project will actively engage stakeholders from various universities, starting with UTN, and potentially expanding globally. Stakeholders include:

• Students: Gain real-time, secure access to their academic records, facilitating seamless applications for jobs or further education.
• Academic and Administrative Staff: Benefit from streamlined operations and reduced administrative burdens, allowing more focus on educational objectives.
• Alumni: Can easily verify and share their academic achievements with employers and other institutions.
• Cardano Community and Other Educational Institutions: Through demonstrations and workshops, we will showcase the system's capabilities and encourage other institutions to adopt and adapt the solution.

Impact Demonstration:

• Security Audit: Conduct comprehensive security audit to ensure the system's integrity.
• User Feedback: Implement regular surveys and feedback mechanisms to assess user satisfaction and system usability.
• Adoption Rates: Monitor the adoption rate across UTN and other universities to measure the system’s acceptance and usage.
• Operational Metrics: Evaluate operational metrics such as time spent on record management before and after the system’s implementation, documenting improvements and areas for further enhancement.

Uniqueness and Importance to Cardano:

• Innovative Use of Blockchain in Education: Utilizing Atala Prism to decentralize academic records underscores the versatility of Cardano’s technology beyond financial applications, highlighting its potential in securely managing sensitive data across various sectors.
• Enhancement of Cardano’s Reputation: Successful deployment in educational settings serves as a testament to Cardano's capabilities in handling complex institutional needs, promoting wider adoption in other industries.
• Contribution to the Ecosystem: By providing this system as open-source, we invite global collaboration and adaptation, fostering innovation and growth within the Cardano ecosystem.

This approach not only caters to the immediate needs of UTN but is also crafted to be a scalable and adaptable solution for educational institutions worldwide, aligning with Cardano’s broader objectives of promoting blockchain adoption and demonstrating its utility in a variety of real-world applications.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Value to the Cardano Community:

Implementing a blockchain-based academic registry demonstrates the versatility and capability of Cardano’s technology beyond its typical financial applications. It positions Cardano as a viable solution for secure and scalable data management in education, potentially encouraging its adoption across other sectors.

Measuring Impact:

• Quantitative Measures: We will monitor the number of universities and institutions that adopt the system, the volume of academic records managed, and the frequency of their access and updates.

• Qualitative Measures: Surveys and feedback from users (students, faculty, and administrators) will assess satisfaction and system usability. We will also collect testimonials on the system’s impact on educational processes and opportunities.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Documentation and Resources: All documentation, code, and learning resources will be available on GitHub, ensuring that they are accessible to developers, institutions, and the broader Cardano community.

• Workshops and Webinars: We will host workshops and webinars to demonstrate the system’s capabilities, share best practices, and encourage other educational institutions to adopt this technology.

• Publications and Case Studies: Success stories and case studies will be published in educational and technology journals, and shared at conferences, highlighting the project’s impact and the robustness of Cardano’s blockchain technology.

This strategic approach ensures that the project not only benefits UTN but also contributes significantly to the broader Cardano ecosystem by showcasing practical, real-world applications of blockchain technology in education.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Existing Capabilities and Credibility:

Our team's proven track record in the Cardano community and educational initiatives ensures that we are exceptionally equipped to manage and deliver this project successfully. Here’s how our capabilities align with the demands of the project:

1. Experienced Leadership: Jose Iadicicco, our project lead, has demonstrated leadership and coordination capabilities by organizing major community events like the Cardano Summit and establishing the first physical Cardano stake pool in Latin America. His recognized contribution to detecting and resolving a critical bug in Cardano's layer 0 underscores our technical proficiency and commitment to the Cardano ecosystem.
2. Educational Expertise: Kehua Yang brings a rich background in education with a Master's degree focusing on Early Childhood Education and Applied Linguistics. His experience in developing educational content and conducting workshops ensures that the academic aspects of the blockchain registry are well-founded and effectively implemented.
3. Blockchain and Educational Outreach: Robertino Martinez, an alumnus of UTN and a respected educator at IOHK, bridges the gap between technical blockchain applications and practical educational needs. His expertise in teaching Haskell and Plutus is critical for developing robust smart contracts for the academic registry and for conducting training sessions for UTN staff and students.

Validation of Approach:

Our approach will be validated through a combination of pilot testing, ongoing evaluation, and community feedback:

• Pilot Testing: Before full-scale implementation, the blockchain registry will be pilot tested at selected UTN areas to assess the functionality and user acceptance of the system.

• Technical Audit and Peer Review: Audit and peer review by third-party experts will ensure that the system meets all security and operational standards.

• Feedback Mechanisms: Regular feedback from end-users and stakeholders at UTN will guide iterative improvements to the system, ensuring it meets the practical needs of students and administrators.

Trust and Fund Management:

• Transparent Budgeting and Reporting: We commit to transparent budgeting and regular financial reporting to all stakeholders, including detailed breakdowns of expenditures and progress updates.

• Escrow and Milestone-Based Funding: Funds will be disbursed based on clearly defined milestones. This ensures that the allocation of resources is directly tied to demonstrable progress.

• External Auditing: An independent audit of the project's financials and outcomes will be conducted to ensure proper fund management and to uphold the highest standards of accountability.

Sharing of Outputs:

• Open Source Development: All software developed will be open-sourced, with documentation hosted on platforms like GitHub, enhancing transparency and community involvement.

• Regular Updates and Community Engagement: We will provide regular updates through forums, webinars, and publications to keep the community engaged and informed about the project’s progress and insights.

By leveraging our proven capabilities and implementing stringent validation and transparency measures, we assure the Cardano community of our commitment and capability to deliver this transformative project with the highest levels of trust and accountability.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Project Initiation and Planning:

• Tasks: Establish a detailed project plan, including timelines, resource allocations, and stakeholder roles. Set up governance structures and reporting mechanisms.

• Deliverables: Comprehensive project documentation with detailed project plan and governance agreements.

• Acceptance Criteria: Approval of the project plan by the steering committee, including representatives from UTN and the Cardano community.

System Design and Prototype Development:

• Tasks: Design the architecture for the academic registry. Develop a prototype of the system including key functionalities such as registration, record access, and verification.

• Deliverables: Design documents and a working prototype of the blockchain registry system.

• Acceptance Criteria: Prototype meets initial design specifications and passes preliminary security and functionality tests.

Pilot Implementation and Initial Testing:

• Tasks: Implement the prototype at selected UTN campuses. Conduct initial testing with real user data under controlled conditions.

• Deliverables: Pilot implementation report detailing the setup process, challenges encountered, and user feedback.

• Acceptance Criteria: Successful integration and operation of the system in the pilot environment, positive feedback from initial users, and resolution of any critical issues identified during the pilot.

Full System Development and Integration:

• Tasks: Based on feedback from the pilot, develop the full system with all intended functionalities. Integrate the system across all UTN campuses.

• Deliverables: Fully functional academic registry system deployed across the UTN network.

• Acceptance Criteria: System meets all specified requirements and is stable across multiple campus locations with minimal downtime or issues.

System Optimization and Final Testing:

• Tasks: Optimize the system for efficiency and scalability. Conduct comprehensive testing including stress tests and security audit.

• Deliverables: Optimized system ready for official launch, along with test reports and audit findings.

• Acceptance Criteria: System performs optimally under heavy load and stringent security measures. All test cases are passed, and any vulnerabilities identified are mitigated.

Project Close-Out and Impact Assessment:

• Tasks: Officially launch the system university-wide. Conduct an impact assessment to evaluate the project’s success and areas for improvement.

• Deliverables: Project Close-out Report detailing the project outcomes, lessons learned, and future recommendations. A video summarizing the project achievements and showcasing the functioning of the blockchain registry.

• Acceptance Criteria: Successful deployment and operational stability of the system. Positive impact on UTN's academic records management demonstrated through user surveys and system performance metrics.

These milestones ensure structured progress, with each phase building upon the successes and learnings of the previous one, moving towards a comprehensive and fully functional blockchain-based academic registry at UTN.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Our project team consists of experienced professionals who are already engaged and committed to the project. Below are the details of the team members and their specific roles:

1. José Iadicicco - Project Lead

• Role: Responsible for overall project management, coordination, and strategic direction.
• LinkedIn: José Iadicicco
• Responsibilities: Overseeing all project activities, ensuring milestones are met, liaising with UTN and Cardano community stakeholders, and managing the project budget.
• Previous Experience: Creator of the first physical Cardano stake pool in Latin America, identified and resolved a significant bug in Cardano's layer 0.

2. Kehua Yang - Educational Specialist

• Role: In charge of educational content development, workshop facilitation, and mentoring.
• LinkedIn: Kehua Yang
• Responsibilities: Developing the educational frameworks and materials needed for UTN faculty and students, conducting training sessions, and ensuring the educational objectives of the project are met.
• Previous Experience: Extensive experience in education, with a Master's degree in Education and Teaching, and Applied Linguistics.

3. Robertino Martinez - Technical Lead and Blockchain Developer

• Role: Leads the development and implementation of the blockchain registry system.
• More Information: Robertino Martinez / robertinom.com
• Responsibilities: Designing and developing the smart contracts and blockchain architecture, ensuring the system's security and efficiency, and leading the technical team.
• Previous Experience: Educator at IOHK, engineer and software developer, experienced in Haskell and Plutus.

Recruitment Plans for Additional Team Members:

• Blockchain Developers: We will recruit additional developers with expertise in Cardano’s blockchain technology, specifically those skilled in Plutus for smart contract development.
• System Security Analysts: To ensure the integrity and security of the registry system, we will engage professionals specialized in cybersecurity, particularly those with experience in blockchain security.
• Project Support Staff: Including administrative and operational support to assist with the logistics and day-to-day management of the project.

Engagement with Technical Groups and Resources:

• We have active engagements within several Cardano community groups on platforms like Discord and Telegram. This allows us direct communication with a broad spectrum of resources and expertise within the Cardano ecosystem.
• We also maintain direct lines of communication with all team members and stakeholders through regular meetings and updates, ensuring everyone is aligned and committed to the project goals.

Consent and Verification:

• All team members have consented to their involvement and the public sharing of their roles and profiles as part of this proposal. Proof of life verifications and other necessary disclosures will be duly completed to comply with Catalyst funding requirements.

This detailed resource plan underscores our preparedness and commitment to successfully delivering the blockchain-based academic registry for UTN, leveraging the unique skills and experiences of each team member.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Development and Deployment:

• Blockchain System Development: ₳150,000. Includes salaries for developers to design and implement the registry system.
• Smart Contract Development and Security Auditing: ₳75,000. This covers the development of smart contracts and payment for third-party security audit to ensure system integrity.

Personnel and Staffing:

• Project Management: ₳50,000. Compensation for project management services to oversee the project lifecycle and ensure adherence to timelines and budgets.
• Educational and Training Staff: ₳40,000. For developing and delivering training programs to UTN staff and students on using the new system.
• Administrative and Support Staff: ₳30,000. Salaries for administrative support to handle logistics, scheduling, and daily operations.

Third-Party Services:

• Legal and Compliance Services: ₳20,000. Legal consulting to navigate data privacy laws and compliance requirements.
• Professional Services (Accounting and Auditing): ₳15,000. Costs for accounting services and independent audits of project finances to ensure transparency.

Hardware and Infrastructure:

• Infrastructure Setup: ₳25,000. Procurement of servers, secure storage, and other necessary hardware for deploying the blockchain system.

Marketing and Community Engagement:

• Public Relations and Marketing: ₳25,000. Includes costs for marketing campaigns, public relations efforts, and promotional materials to raise awareness of the project within and beyond the Cardano community.
• Community Workshops and Webinars: ₳20,000. Organization of workshops and webinars to engage the community, provide education about the project, and gather feedback.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Technical Documentation and Reporting: ₳25,000. Development of comprehensive documentation of the project processes and outcomes; preparation of periodic and final reports for stakeholders.

Contingency Fund:

• Miscellaneous and Unforeseen Costs: ₳20,000. Reserved for unexpected expenses or adjustments necessary for the successful completion of the project.

Total Project Budget: ₳495,000

Alternative Sources of Funding:

• In the event that project costs exceed the initial budget due to unforeseen circumstances, we plan to seek additional funding through partnerships with other educational institutions, technology grants, or private investments that are interested in blockchain technology applications in education.

Budget Management and Fund Rules Compliance:

• We will ensure strict adherence to Cardano Catalyst Fund Rules, including eligibility of expenses and proper management of funds. Regular financial updates and transparent reporting will be provided to all stakeholders, ensuring that all spending is accounted for and aligned with the project's goals.

This detailed budget ensures that each aspect of the project is well-funded and aligns with the overall strategic objectives, enabling successful implementation and long-term sustainability of the blockchain-based academic registry at UTN.

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

1. Development and Deployment:

• System Development: ₳150,000. Costs include salaries for developers, technical leads, and system architects to design, develop, and implement the registry system.
• Smart Contract Development and Auditing: ₳75,000. This includes the cost of developing and rigorously testing smart contracts, plus fees for external auditing by blockchain security experts.
• Hardware and Infrastructure: ₳25,000. Includes servers and other essential hardware for hosting the blockchain environment securely.

2. Personnel and Staffing:

• Project Management: ₳50,000. Salary for the project manager to oversee all aspects of the project, ensure milestones are met, and maintain budget compliance.
• Educational and Training Staff: ₳40,000. This covers costs for experts to develop educational materials and conduct training sessions.
• Administrative and Support Staff: ₳30,000. For administrative personnel to assist with coordination, documentation, and operational support.

3. Third-Party Services:

• Legal and Compliance: ₳20,000. Legal fees for ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations concerning data security and privacy.
• Professional Services: ₳15,000. Includes accounting services to manage the financial aspects of the project and independent auditors to validate the expense reports and project deliverables.

4. Marketing and Community Engagement:

• Public Relations and Marketing: ₳25,000. To promote the project within the Cardano community and beyond, including press releases, social media campaigns, and community events.
• Community Workshops and Webinars: ₳20,000. Costs associated with organizing workshops and webinars to engage with the community, gather feedback, and educate about the project's benefits and functionalities.

5. Documentation and Reporting:

• Technical Documentation: ₳15,000. For documenting the architecture, codebase, and usage guidelines of the blockchain registry system.
• Project Reporting: ₳10,000. For preparing interim and final reports detailing project progress, budget usage, and evaluation of outcomes.

6. Contingency Fund:

• Miscellaneous and Unforeseen Costs: ₳30,000. A reserve fund to cover unexpected expenses or adjustments needed for project success.

Total Project Budget: ₳495,000

Alternative Sources of Funding:

• Should the project costs exceed the initial budget, we plan to seek additional funding from academic grants and partnerships with other educational institutions interested in adopting the blockchain registry system.

Budget Management:

• The project team will adhere strictly to the Fund Rules, ensuring all expenses are eligible, properly documented, and directly attributable to the project objectives. Regular budget reviews will be conducted to monitor spending and adjust the budget as necessary to stay within the funding limits.

This comprehensive budget plan ensures that all aspects of the project are adequately funded and managed, providing a solid foundation for the successful implementation and sustainability of the blockchain-based academic registry at UTN.