The aim of the New Mexico Education Blockchain Initiative (NMEBI) is to provide a digital credentials service that enables more students and schools to cost-effectively, readily and securely access and share academic credentials and records.
Identified Problems
EXPENSIVENESS: Numerous financial costs and bureaucratic inefficiencies in the obtaining and sharing of paper and PDF student credentials (as outlined by 2020 Regular Session Senate Bill 113, “Blockchain Technology Task Force”)
SLOWNESS: 4-6 weeks average print time for paper and PDF records and diplomas
FAKES: 200,000+ fake degrees sold in the U.S. annually
VERIFICATION: Paper credentials are not easily machine-readable, making intake by employers difficult
Gained Benefits
Issue official diplomas, transcripts, examinations, and badges in a digital format that students can share and have verified anywhere
Immutable, transparent and auditable student degree, certificate and transcripts records
Increased efficiencies in economic and academic activities in reduced cost and immediate accessibility to official school records
Give 3rd parties the ability to verify any record instantly and for free
Give schools and graduates ownership of their official records and autonomy over how they use their records
Examples
A sample blockchain digital diploma:
A sample blockchain digital ID and Certificate:
Case Study
For more about the pilot project and its results, please read the Extending the Student Digital Experience Beyond Graduation article by Craig Wenthworth of Independent Thought.
(Updated: January 24, 2021)