Decentralized Academic Credential Verification System on the Cardano Blockchain

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Temitope Arogunyo

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[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)

A decentralized platform on Cardano for secure, tamper-proof, and globally accessible academic credential verification.

[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.”

We depend on partnerships with educational institutions for data integration and verification. These partnerships are crucial for validating the authenticity of academic credentials.

[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 code, smart contracts, and documentation will be made available on GitHub under an open-source license to encourage transparency and community collaboration.

[METADATA] Horizons

Governance

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our solution involves creating a decentralized platform using Cardano’s blockchain technology to securely store and verify academic credentials. Institutions can issue credentials directly onto the blockchain, ensuring immutability and easy verification by employers or other educational institutions. The platform will feature user-friendly interfaces for both institutions and individuals, allowing for seamless credential management and verification.

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

Our project will enhance trust and efficiency in the education sector, making it easier for individuals to verify their academic achievements and for employers to validate credentials. This will foster greater mobility and opportunities in the job market and higher education. We will measure impact through user adoption rates, the number of verified credentials, and feedback from educational institutions and employers.

[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?

Our team consists of experts in blockchain technology, education, and software development. We have successfully executed similar projects in the past and have established relationships with key stakeholders in the education sector. To validate our approach, we will conduct pilot programs with partner institutions, gather feedback, and iterate on our platform based on real-world usage and challenges.

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

• Description: Platform architecture design and initial development
• Timeline: 2 months
• Acceptance Criteria: Completion of design documents and initial smart contract deployment

Description: Development of user interfaces for institutions and individuals

Timeline: 3 months

Acceptance Criteria: User interface prototypes and user testing feedback

Description: Integration with partner educational institutions

Timeline: 3 months

Acceptance Criteria: Successful integration and issuance of test credentials

Description: Beta testing and security audits

Timeline: 2 months

Acceptance Criteria: Resolution of identified issues and security vulnerabilities

• Description: Full platform launch and marketing
• Timeline: 2 months
• Acceptance Criteria: Public release of the platform and initial user adoption metrics

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

Temitope Arogunyo: Project Lead, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arogunyo-temitope-8a72bb140/

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

Development Costs: 150,000 ADA

User Interface Design: 50,000 ADA

Integration and Partnerships: 30,000 ADA

Testing and Security Audits: 40,000 ADA

Marketing and Launch: 30,000 ADA

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

Our project will provide significant value by enhancing the integrity and efficiency of academic credential verification, a crucial need in the global education sector. By leveraging Cardano’s blockchain, we ensure transparency and security, which will build trust and drive adoption. The relatively modest funding request compared to the potential global impact represents excellent value for money.