Smart Degrees
Blockchain-based
technology
SmartDegrees uses distributed ledger technology, blockchain, which opens up enormous possibilities for graduates, universities, work platforms and recruiters.
SmartDegrees uses the verifiable credentials standard (W3C VC) and European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) of the European Commission. Its distributed registry technology, blockchain, opens enormous possibilities for graduates, universities, companies, work platforms and recruiters. SmartDegrees uses Quorum, based on Ethereum, with consensus by voting, since it is the blockchain platform more mature and suitable for diplomas certifications. In addition, it records operations on the public blockchain platform Alastria, to add transparency and greater security.
The solution is made up of three main parts:
The blockchain network
Keeps a distributed record, which can be inspected openly.
The users app
It allows peer-to-peer transactions without the assistance of intermediaries.
The APIs
Makes it easier for other platforms to access SmartDegrees services.
Technology
The platform is based in blockchain technology, which is key to provide the required security. Blockchain, also called the Internet of value, is an innovative technology, which consists of:
That keeps a distributed record, which can be inspected openly.
To transfer transactions, value, assets between peers, without the assistance of intermediaries.
Replacing previous entities of trust.
These capabilities allow to solve the security in the identification and payments, lacking in the Internet of information. As it is doing in other sectors, such as banking, blockchain will be the most important technology for changing higher education, given the advantages it provides: autonomy, trust, transparency and traceability, immutability, disintermediation and collaboration.
SmartDegrees uses Quorum, based on Ethereum, with consensus by vote, since it is the most mature and suitable blockchain platform for diplomas certifications.
In addition, it records operations on the public blockchain platform Alastria, to add transparency and greater security.
This platform allows to use this type of certification outside of higher education institutions, with the assurance that the information is certified by a network of university partners, business schools and other academic institutions.
SmartDegrees will store part of the digital identity of each person, so it can be used as a way to identify and authenticate to the graduate, its owner. This information could be used by the owner of it and also by other actors in society: human resources of corporations, labour platforms, social networks … Using the SmartDegrees API and SmartDegrees applications will be possible to verify and obtain information from the SmartDegrees network.
Diagram of the architecture, showing the main components
At the component level, the following image describes the technical architecture of the system
Services API
Client / Users
API
Business Logic (Language)
Middleware
Infraestructure
Partners
API
Data Base