Indonesian university announces plan to roll out on-chain records
TL;DR Breakown
- An Indonesian university has announced plans to begin storing student course records and diplomas on-chain.
- The on-chain records can be shared with other schools or their employers.
- Scholars have warned about the gaps in digital readiness for blockchain-based use cases in education.
Indonesian university Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has announced that it will begin storing student course records on-chain. The university, which is regarded as one of the oldest and largest public research universities in Indonesia, says it will adopt Space and Time, a decentralized database platform, to effect its new plan.
According to the university, students who complete courses will have their records written directly to the Space and Time network, creating an immutable credential that they can share with other schools or employers. According to Scott Dykstra, co-founder and CTO of Space and Time, the framework is expected to provide “expanded, modernized education access to the unbanked” and give students “a way to prove their educational achievements to any institution or employer in the world.”
Indonesian university set to roll out on-chain records
In his statement, Dykstra also mentioned that the main objective of the development is to ensure that, through Space and Time’s database, Indonesian student records that are onboarded on-chain could help them in different areas. He added that the students can overcome issues like intermediaries or traditional financial infrastructure and come out with a traceable and verifiable record of their accomplishment.
According to reports, the Indonesian university’s rollout for its 60,000 students is set to begin with those studying English proficiency courses. The school also mentioned that once they achieve success in the initial stage, they will continue with a planned expansion to other courses. In addition, the Indonesian university is unveiling a new on-campus AI lab using Dreamspace, a tool built on Space and Time. The AI lab is expected to provide courses on building and deploying AI applications.
The initiative was introduced after a partnership was struck between Indomobil Group, one of the largest automotive conglomerates in Indonesia, and the Space and Time Foundation, which is now in charge of overseeing the decentralized network originally developed by MakeInfinite Labs. Space and Time’s custom chain pulls data from different blockchains and distributes it across a validator network, allowing applicants to verify their results without relying on a single data source.
Scholars call for caution over blockchain-based use cases in education
Speaking about the education program’s components, a representative of the Space and Time Foundation explained that the first component centers on verifiable education. By adding completed courses and diplomas on-chain, students will be able to avoid fragmented records across institutions. Instead, they will be able to create a single, immutable record that employers or local or international universities can confirm.
Another component deals with the financial aspects through SXT, the native digital asset of Space and Time. Each Indonesian student will be able to receive a wallet preloaded with tokens to pay tuition and course fees directly, a system that the firm says is designed to reach those without traditional bank accounts. The company also confirmed that students will not be asked to pay any extra costs to benefit from this service.
However, some scholars have urged caution, noting that the promise of blockchain-based use cases in education comes with its risks. An ASEAN report released this year on higher education mobility noted that digital credentials can support cross-border recognition of qualifications. But the report also warned that there are currently gaps in digital readiness, and it could worsen inequities for students and institutions with fewer resources.
