Potentials of Blockchain Digital Certificates in Higher Education

Blockchain technologies promise decentralized management of academic and professional credentials independent of any particular institutions or organizations who issue those credentials. The implementations of such technologies in educational credentialing is still in its infant stage; however, the premise such technologies hold is rather profound as it could fundamentally change the characteristics of higher education organizations that exist today. If blockchain digital certificates become commonly accepted among the learners to demonstrate their skills and knowledge, what threats or opportunities do those hold for higher education institutions? What are the roles higher education institutions should play in the era in which awarding credentials would not be the main responsibilities? This paper attempts to discuss the main issues higher education institutions will face when blockchain digital certificates become widely available from multiple educational and training organizations.