How Blockchain is Preventing Plagiarism in the Education Sector?

The education sector holds great significance in contributing to the Indian economy, with an estimated worth of US$117 billion in FY20 and an anticipated growth of US$225 billion by FY25. The increased budget allocation by the Indian government also highlights its importance and its potential to contribute to the goal of achieving a USD 5 trillion economy. However, the sector encounters challenges stemming from outdated legacy systems, particularly in the manual management of records and student credentials, which makes it vulnerable to fraud, impersonation, and plagiarism.

Plagiarism and academic dishonesty pose ongoing challenges in the education sector, prompting the need for proactive measures to ensure academic integrity. Blockchain technology emerges as a promising solution to effectively address these issues.

Challenges in the education sector

Plagiarism, in its diverse forms and leveraging various technologies, continues to threaten the credibility of academic achievements and introduces fraud risks in admissions and hiring processes, demanding immediate attention from educators. By capitalizing on the immutable and decentralized nature of blockchain, educational institutions can establish secure and tamper-proof systems for storing academic credentials, significantly reducing the incentive for fraudulent activities while ensuring the authenticity and accuracy of academic achievements.

Maintaining originality of documents

Blockchain provides a transparent and tamper-proof platform for verifying the originality of academic works such as research papers and theses. Through the implementation of blockchain-enabled systems, educators and institutions gain the ability to effectively detect and deter plagiarism, fostering academic integrity and nurturing a culture of innovation and knowledge creation.

Traceability of Academic Transactions

Blockchain's distributed ledger system facilitates the traceability of academic transactions, encompassing credit transfers and degree verifications. This heightened transparency empowers institutions to validate the authenticity of academic records and qualifications, thereby ensuring the integrity of academic processes and mitigating instances of academic fraud.

Providing a secure and private sharing of information

Blockchain offers a robust framework for the secure and private sharing of academic information among educational institutions and authorized parties. This framework guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data, safeguarding student privacy and protecting against unauthorized access or tampering of academic records.

Government’s efforts in driving Blockchain adoption

The Government of India has taken significant strides in promoting the implementation of blockchain technology in the education sector. A notable example is the "Polyversity" project, which operates on the Bharat Blockchain Network. This initiative aims to create a decentralized platform for collaboration, resource sharing, and access to educational content, ultimately enhancing the integrity and credibility of educational credentials.

There are businesses adopting blockchain successfully, such as a prominent educational institution in India –Globsyn Business School, have embraced blockchain for digital certification. Through this approach, students gain secure access to their digital diplomas, eliminating the need for physical copies and streamlining processes for higher education and job applications. The initiative simplifies students' lives while bolstering the credibility of their qualifications.

Globally, institutes have also taken strides in adopting blockchain in the education sector. MIT has adopted a new certification system by issuing blockchain-based degrees to students. Through leveraging the decentralized and tamper-proof nature of blockchain, the university ensures the integrity and authenticity of their students' degrees, making it easier for them to share and verify their achievements.

Conclusion

To combat plagiarism and academic dishonesty, the education sector must proactively adopt innovative solutions. Blockchain technology offers robust mechanisms to ensure the accuracy, authenticity, and traceability of academic achievements. By embracing blockchain, educational institutions can establish new standards of academic integrity, safeguard student privacy, and revolutionize the storage, verification, and sharing of academic records and credentials. Through these advancements, the education sector can take the lead in upholding academic integrity, fostering a culture of trust, credibility, and innovation.