TEST DUMMY: A Blockchain-Based Verification System for Academic Credentials with QR Code Integration

ABSTRACT

Academic credential fraud has become a growing concern for higher education institutions, employers, and professional organizations worldwide. Traditional verification methods, which often rely on manual requests and physical documents, are slow, inefficient, and vulnerable to forgery. This study proposes the development of a Blockchain-Based Verification System for Academic Credentials with QR Code Integration for Tarlac State University. The system aims to provide a secure, transparent, and tamper-proof method for issuing, managing, and verifying academic credentials such as diplomas and transcripts. The system was developed using a two-part architecture: a secure administrative dashboard for university staff and a public verification portal for employers and third-party verifiers. The administrative module allows authorized personnel to issue digital credentials, generate unique QR codes, and record cryptographic hashes on a blockchain. The verification portal enables anyone to validate a credential by scanning its QR code or entering a unique credential ID, after which the system queries the blockchain and displays an instant result of either "Authentic" or "Invalid/Revoked." The system was developed following the Agile Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) implemented through the Scrum framework, allowing iterative design, development, and testing across multiple sprints. The frontend was built using HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, and JavaScript, while the backend utilized Python (Django) and MySQL. Blockchain functionality was implemented using Solidity smart contracts deployed on a private Ethereum test network. The performance and quality of the system were evaluated using functional testing, integration testing, and the ISO/IEC 25010 software quality model, focusing on functional suitability, security, and performance efficiency. Results from the evaluation demonstrated that the system successfully provides a fast, reliable, and secure method for academic credential verification, significantly reducing the risk of fraud and streamlining the verification process for all stakeholders. This study contributes to the growing body of research on blockchain applications in education and offers a practical solution for local academic institutions seeking to modernize their credentialing systems.