RMIT to issue blockchain-enabled badges for students

RMIT University, a top-ranked global university, today announced the launch of a new initiative to provide students with blockchain-enabled digital credentials. 

In partnership with leading digital credentialing platform, Credly, the initiative will give students the option to seamlessly publish data about earned skills and capabilities to blockchain, in addition to sharing through social networks, including LinkedIn.

“RMIT is an innovator, and with this initiative we’re exploring the latest application of this technology as part of our commitment to enhancing our students’ experience”, said Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Vice-President, Professor Belinda Tynan.

“It’s yet another way that we are working with industry to demonstrate we are providing real world benefits and meaningful student outcomes”, she added.

The partnership illustrates early, and significant, applications of blockchain technology which extends to working alongside like-minded global organisations from diverse industry sectors in order to gain valuable insights around issuing, publishing and tracking digital credentials added to the blockchain.

“RMIT is at the forefront of helping both students and employers leverage the potential of blockchain to fill long-standing skill and communications gaps. Our collaboration will provide students with the tools to better communicate industry-relevant skills and experiences into economic and life opportunities,” said Tynan.

With global blockchain investment expected to exceed $2 billion, and related job postings set to triple this year, this latest move comes just months after RMIT’s launch of its Blockchain strategy short course, in what was an Australian first.

Through the partnership with Credly, RMIT will offer blockchain-enabled credentials to students who complete the “Developing Blockchain Strategy” course, as well as a selection of industry-relevant digital credentials from its new RMIT Creds portfolio including the popular “Global Leader Experience” program, offered in partnership with Common Purpose.

Originally designed to enable the exchange of digital currencies, blockchain is emerging across industry sectors including finance, manufacturing and health, allowing data to be authenticated, shared, and distributed but not altered. 

Credentials published to a blockchain provide enhanced, independent verification of the credential’s authenticity and accuracy--helping organisations to future-proof the credentials they issue.

“Blockchain aligns with principles that have informed Credly’s work from the very beginning: user ownership, choice, portability, security, and independent verification,” said Jonathan Finkelstein, founder and CEO of Credly. 

“This collaboration with a pioneering global partner provides an opportunity to test and refine the application of blockchain in unlocking the full potential for individuals -- and organisations -- to communicate and discover skills and competencies.”

RMIT will begin issuing blockchain-enabled credentials in late August, 2018.

Available for interview: 

• RMIT: Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President, Professor Belinda Tynan 
• Credly: CEO and founder, Jonathan Finkelstein

For interviews: Karen Phelan, +61 3 9925 3987, +61 420 557 114 or karen.phelan@rmit.edu.au

For general media enquiries: +61 439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au