National University Blockchain Initiative Pilots Digital Transcripts

National University in California has partnered with GreenLight Credentials to create blockchain-secured digital student transcripts that can be shared with other educational institutions or prospective employers. The pilot program will provide 300 students with free access to a digital locker for their academic records, that can be accessed at any time and on any device.

The pilot is part of the university's efforts to improve access and affordability and remove barriers to academic and career success, according to a news announcement. By giving students access to their own digital transcripts, the program will cut out the wait times and costs involved in traditional records requests. The goal: to help "streamline the process of career search, graduate school and scholarship applications, and credit transfer."  

"The pandemic has brought a heightened sense of urgency to increasing affordability while forging stronger connections between the educational experience, the workforce and lifelong learning — and that includes giving students greater control of their credentials," commented David Andrews, president of National University, in a statement. "This work is about unlocking greater value from our programs for lifelong learning and making our students and their credentials more discoverable to prospective employers."

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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