The Tunisian government has implemented a blockchain-based diploma verification system across its higher education institutions, aiming to combat widespread fraud using fake diplomas.
As per a recent report, the move follows a 2023 investigation by the Tunisian Association for the Fight Against Corruption, which revealed that an estimated 120,000 to 200,000 civil servants were allegedly hired between 2011 and 2021 using fake diplomas.
Tunisia implemented the Unified Arab System for Diploma Authenticity Verification, utilizing blockchain technology as part of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s digital transformation strategy. The system stores each diploma as a unique, secure, and tamper-proof block, protecting academic records from forgery, fraud, and unauthorized modifications. Institutions, employers, and stakeholders can instantly verify diploma authenticity, bypassing lengthy administrative processes.
The initiative stems from a November 2024 cooperation agreement between Tunisia and the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). A pilot project in three Tunisian institutions demonstrated the solution’s effectiveness, leading to nationwide implementation.
A study by Market Research Future projects the blockchain market applied to education could reach $1.3 billion by 2030, with an estimated annual growth rate of 33.7%.
The project will also facilitate academic and professional mobility by ensuring immediate and unquestionable recognition of diplomas nationally and internationally.
In January 2024, Tunisia witnessed the first Hedera Hackathon. The event was a collaborative effort between Dar Blockchain, The Hashgraph Association, ESPRIT University, and SUP’COM University. The aim of the Hackathon, backed by the Hedera Network was to boost the adoption and understanding of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) in the country.
