Canadian University SAIT And ODEM Blockchain Marketplace To Use DLT For Diplomas Issuance

Earlier this week, we reported a story about the University of British Columbia (UBC), launching Canada's first blockchain and distributed ledger technology training path for graduate students. The aim of this program will be to train master's and Ph.D. students which in turn will help with the scaling of blockchain and DLT programs in the country. Now, another Canadian university, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) seems to be going down the same path.

SAIT is partnering with ODEM (On-Demand Education Marketplace), which the premier blockchain-based education marketplace and they have promised to grant over 4,800 graduating students from Class of 2019 with digital diplomas and blockchain-based documents.

ODEM is a platform for exploring and providing education and employment. Built on the Ethereum blockchain, it offers a variety of courses and the opportunity to earn credentials, showcase skills, and connect with employers. They are working to make education and employment more affordable, accessible, verifiable, and transferable.

Their CEO, Richard Maaghul says:

“Education is one of life’s most valuable assets. We believe that students should have control over their own records, and blockchain technology makes that possible. By making valued SAIT credentials accessible through blockchain, our graduates and employers will continue to benefit from this innovative technology that’s responsive, authentic, and widely accessible.”

Their partnership with SAIT started back in December on the Ethereum blockchain to test the issuance of digital diplomas which resulted in 25 graduates from the Pre-Employment Automotive Service Technician program. Now the target of 4,800 will mark as the biggest diploma course for blockchain in Canadian higher-education institutes, leaps ahead of the target number of graduates from aforementioned UBC’s program.

Dr. David Ross, SAIT’s President, and CEO states:

“SAIT graduates are well-positioned for success with employers in today’s rapidly changing digital landscape. By making valued SAIT credentials accessible through blockchain, our graduates and employers will continue to benefit from this innovative technology that’s responsive, authentic, and widely accessible.”