Workshop explores means of utilising blockchain technology to authenticate certificates

Muscat: The activities of a regional workshop on utilising blockchain technology to verify the authenticity of academic certificates and protect them from forgery commenced on Wednesday at the Arab Open University in Muscat.The two-day workshop is organised by the Ministry of Education, represented by Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Sciences, in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) and the Arab Open University. The opening of the workshop was held under the auspices of Eng. Omar Hamdan Al Ismaili, CEO of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).The workshop aims to introduce blockchain technology and its application domains in the education sector, review the project of the Unified Arab System for Certificate Verification based on this technology, explore ways for the Sultanate of Oman to join it, and build the technical capacities of work teams in universities and educational institutions in the field of digital certificate verification.The opening ceremony included a speech by the Arab Open University delivered by Prof. Mohamed Hamdan Al Badi, Rector of the University, in which he pointed out the importance of blockchain technology in supporting digital transformation in the education sector, as well as its utilisation in authenticating certificates and qualifications, verifying their validity, and protecting them from forgery.In his speech, he emphasised the importance of scientific research, innovation, and translating knowledge into impactful applications and projects, highlighting the university's efforts through the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre and the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, alongside building national capacities to understand emerging technologies and harness them to serve society's needs.Dr. Mahmoud Abdullah Al Abri, Secretary of Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Sciences, delivered the Commission's speech, in which he affirmed that this initiative is an extension of the Sultanate of Oman's efforts in digital transformation, developing educational systems and services, and building national capacities. He noted that building a reliable system for certificate verification requires the integration of educational institutions, regulatory and technical entities, experts, and decision-makers.Prof. Mohamed Al Jemni presented a keynote paper addressing ALECSO's initiatives in developing and implementing artificial intelligence policies in learning, organising workshops and training programmes on AI and its ethics, supporting research and studies in this field, and collaborating with international institutions to strengthen ethical frameworks in the use of artificial intelligence.The workshop's proceedings include sessions discussing the use of blockchain technology in education, educational data governance and cybersecurity, authenticating certificates and protecting them from forgery, alongside reviewing digital transformation and education quality projects, and introducing the Unified Arab System for Certificate Verification, its services, and mechanisms for its implementation in educational institutions.