RMIT University, a top-ranked global university, today announced the launch of a new initiative to provide students with blockchain-enabled digital credentials. In partnership with leading digital credentialing platform, Credly, the initiative will give students the option to seamlessly publish data about earned skills and capabilities to blockchain, in addition to sharing through social networks, including LinkedIn.
“RMIT is an innovator, and with this initiative we’re exploring the latest application of this technology as part of our commitment to enhancing our students’ experience,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Vice-President, Professor Belinda Tynan.
“It’s yet another way that we are working with industry to demonstrate we are providing real world benefits and meaningful student outcomes,” she added.
The partnership illustrates early, and significant, applications of blockchain technology which extends to working alongside like-minded global organisations from diverse industry sectors in order to gain valuable insights around issuing, publishing and tracking digital credentials added to the blockchain.
“RMIT is at the forefront of helping both students and employers leverage the potential of blockchain to fill long-standing skill and communications gaps. Our collaboration will provide students with the tools to better communicate industry-relevant skills and experiences into economic and life opportunities,” said Tynan.
With global blockchain investment expected to exceed $2 billion, and related job postings set to triple this year, this latest move comes just months after RMIT’s launch of its Blockchain strategy short course, in what was an Australian first.
Through the partnership with Credly, RMIT will offer blockchain-enabled credentials to students who complete the “Developing Blockchain Strategy” course, as well as a selection of industry-relevant digital credentials from its new RMIT Creds portfolio including the popular “Global Leader Experience” program.
Originally designed to enable the exchange of digital currencies, blockchain is emerging across industry sectors including finance, manufacturing and health, allowing data to be authenticated, shared and distributed but not altered. Credentials published to a blockchain provide enhanced, independent verification of the credential’s authenticity and accuracy--helping organisations to future-proof the credentials they issue.
“Blockchain aligns with principles that have informed Credly’s work from the very beginning: user ownership, choice, portability, security, and independent verification,” said Jonathan Finkelstein, founder and CEO of Credly. “This collaboration with a pioneering global partner provides an opportunity to test and refine the application of blockchain in unlocking the full potential for individuals -- and organisations -- to communicate and discover skills and competencies.”
RMIT will begin issuing blockchain-enabled credentials in late August, 2018.
For general media enquiries: Karen Phelan (03) 9925 3987 or 0420 557 114 or karen.phelan@rmit.edu.au
For interviews: Deputy-Vice Chancellor and Vice-President Professor Belinda Tynan and CEO and founder of Credly, Jonathan Finkelstein (contact Karen Phelan at the details above)
About RMIT University
RMIT is a global university of technology, design and enterprise in which teaching, research and engagement are central to making an impact and creating life-changing experiences for our students.
Founded in 1887, RMIT is a multi-sector university with more than 87,000* students and 11,000 staff globally. The University enjoys an international reputation for excellence in professional and vocational education, applied and innovative research, and engagement with industry and the community.
RMIT offers postgraduate, undergraduate, VE and online programs, offering students work-relevant pathways between vocational and higher education qualifications. A range of scholarships are available to support education and research.
With three campuses and two sites in Australia, two campuses in Vietnam and a research and industry collaboration centre in Barcelona, Spain, RMIT is a truly global university. RMIT also offers programs through partners in Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China and Indonesia, and has research and industry partnerships on every continent. RMIT is ranked in the world’s top 500 in every major ranking schema.
RMIT is ranked 250th in the 2018/19 QS World University Rankings and is ranked 15th in Australia. In the latest QS Top 50 Under 50 index, RMIT is 21st in the world among universities less than 50 years old.
RMIT is 11th in the world (highest ranked in Australia) in Art and Design, and 26th in the world (fourth highest in Australia) in Architecture and the Built Environment. We are among the world’s top 100 universities in Business and Management; Communication and Media; Computer Science and Information; Development Studies; Education and Training; Engineering (Civil and Structural); and Engineering (Electrical and Electronic), based on 2017/18 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
All enrolments including Foundation Studies and Open Universities Australia - https://www.rmit.edu.au/