SmartDEGREE from TCS to combat Certificate Malpractices

SmartDEGREE from TCS to combat Certificate Malpractices

The Degree Certificate awarded by a University is an asset of prime importance in an individual’s life. Circulation of fake degree certificates is a menace to the society, and a threat to the integrity of both the certificate holder and the educational institution that has awarded the certificate. Hence, there is a pressing need for universities to adopt a process that can ensure security of information and authenticity of the certificate issued.

Tata Consultancy Services Limited’s (TCS) SmartDEGREE, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based solution, enables universities to curb the problem of fake degree certificates and forgery of mark sheets. Using SmartDEGREE, a university can award certificates with an embedded RFID tag that is encoded with the holder’s name, date of graduation, type of degree and entire transcript, photograph and biometrics (fingerprints), all digitally signed by the university authorities.

SmartDEGREE also enables potential employers, foreign embassies, other universities and other stakeholders to read the data embedded in the RFID tag using an interrogator, and to verify the identity of the certificate holder and authenticity of the certificate.

Introduction

Universities across the world face ever increasing challenges in discharging their role as providers and enablers of higher education. One of the serious challenges faced by them is the circulation of fake or duplicate degree certificates. Besides, factors such as very high student strength and overworked staff make physical issuance and verification of degree certificates cumbersome and time consuming. Higher education services are now sought by larger segments of the global population, and students, employers and other stakeholders expect that the menace of fake or duplicate degree certificates is eradicated.

TCS recognized that digitization of the certificate issuing process, and securing the certificate holder’s information were the two key aspects that would enable universities to curb the problem. TCS also recognized that the main challenge lay in developing a system that would technology-enable the existing process; would address the existing lacunae; while retaining, if not reinforcing, the end objectives of the process.

To enable universities to address this menace, TCS developed SmartDEGREE, a system based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Combined with the fingerprint authentication and digital encryption technology, SmartDEGREE brings in greater reliability, robustness and security in the existing process of degree certificates issue to university students.

TCS has successfully implemented SmartDEGREE at the University of Hyderabad, India, where RFID based degree certificates are being issued since 2007.

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