Blockchain for Education: Towards Decentralized Learning Autonomy

This thesis investigates the problem of fraudulent and insecure educational certificates. It develops blockchain-based credential systems to issue, manage, and verify digital credentials securely. The research identifies critical attributes for blockchain credential adoption and builds a practical credentialing platform (CValid.org) through iterative usability testing with diverse stakeholders. It proposes an engineering approach grounded in industry practices and socio-technical methods to facilitate wider blockchain adoption. Finally, it designs a quantum-resistant credential system using advanced cryptography to ensure user privacy and protection against quantum computing threats. This research enables institutions, employers, and learners to confidently verify educational credentials, significantly reducing fraud risks in digital education.