The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has issued learner-owned academic credentials on the blockchain. The University’s Digital Diploma Pilot Program allowed a select cohort of students to receive both a paper diploma and a digital diploma anchored to the blockchain. Digital diplomas are encoded using the open-source Blockcerts standard, which was developed by Learning Machine Technologies and the MIT Media Lab.
Speaking to MIT News, Registrar and Senior Associate Mary Callahan said, “From the beginning, one of our primary motivations has been to empower students to be the curators of their own credentials. This pilot makes it possible for them to have ownership of their records and be able to share them in a secure way, with whomever they choose.”
More News from eCampus News
Harvard’s stand against federal overreach: A defining moment for U.S. higher education
In a historic and deeply concerning move, the Trump administration has frozen over $2.2 billion in grants and contracts to Harvard University after the institution refused to comply with an extensive list of federal demands.
The human edge in the AI era
In the Future of Jobs 2025 report, the World Economic Forum predicts that 60 percent of jobs will require upskilling or retraining, or they’ll be threatened. The skills we have today may not keep us secure for long.
Migrating from on-prem mailboxes to the cloud in higher education
As higher education continues its digital evolution, more colleges and universities are turning to cloud-based applications. These modern solutions offer advantages that on-premise systems can’t match.
Students are unsure about higher ed’s value, but strongly support AI
American students are questioning whether higher education is the path to a successful career–but it remains evident that students believe AI is beneficial to learning.
Data shows growing GenAI adoption in higher ed
Nearly half of HED instructors (45 percent) have positive perceptions about GenAI, despite concerns and perceived risks in its adoption, according to updated data from Cengage Group’s “AI in Education” research series.
College claim to deliver value, but struggle to track its delivery
Although nearly 75 percent of colleges and universities believe their value proposition is clear, less than 10 percent of schools say they have built a reliable tracking process to ensure their perceived value is actually delivered.
Academic freedom under siege: A Ph.D. student’s reflections
As a doctoral student currently engaged in scholarly research within a U.S. higher education institution, I find myself increasingly alarmed by recent developments that suggest an erosion of academic freedom and civil liberties.
4 student mindsets that rationalize cheating
Understanding how students justify cheating can help faculty address the root causes. This article covers common student mindsets that rationalize cheating and offers practical ways to address them before they grow into a cheating culture.
The hidden cost of legacy systems in higher ed
As universities shape the future and prepare the next generation of leaders and innovators, it’s more important than ever to lead in adopting cutting-edge technology and digital transformation.
Take a peek at a new agentic AI virtual teaching assistant
An advanced Virtual Teaching Assistant (TA) pilot program–featuring an AI agent built with Google AI technologies–designed to transform higher education learning for students and empower educators with valuable insights.