@misc{10481/107785,
year = {2025},
month = {10},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/107785},
abstract = {It has been recognized that Blockchain technology contributes to environmentally sustainable development goals (SDGs). It has emerged as a disruptive innovation capable
of transforming various economic and social sectors significantly. This conceptual paper is driven by the need to explore how blockchain, specifically a consortium-based
Ethereum architecture, can be integrated into higher education institutions to ensure data
sovereignty, integrity, and verifiability while adhering to legal and ethical standards such
as GDPR. We propose a multi-layered blockchain-based model for Kazakhstan’s Unified
Platform of Higher Education (UPHE). This model employs hybrid on-chain/off-chain
data storage, smart contract automation, and a Proof-of-Authority consensus mechanism
to address system limitations, including data centralization and inadequate verification of
academic credentials. Empirical simulations using Blockscout and Ethereum-compatible
tools demonstrate the model’s feasibility and performance. This paper contributes to the
growing discussion on educational blockchain applications by presenting a scalable, secure,
and transparent architecture that aligns with institutional governance and Environmental,
Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. It also supports the objectives of UN SDG 4
(i.e., Quality education) by fostering trust, transparency, and equitable access to verifiable
educational credentials.},
organization = {Institute of Information and Computational Technologies, Kazakhstan (Project BR24993014-OT-24)},
publisher = {MDPI},
keywords = {Blockchain adoption},
keywords = {Interdisciplinary analysis},
keywords = {sectoral impact},
title = {Enhancing Transparency and Trust in Higher Education Institutions via Blockchain: A Conceptual Model Utilizing the Ethereum Consortium Approach},
doi = {10.3390/su17209350},
author = {Kistaubayev, Yerlan and Liébana-Cabanillas, Francisco and A. Shaikh, Aijaz and Mutanov, Galimkair and Ussatova, Olga and Shinbayeva, Ainura},
}