Authors - Mariel Leo T. Violeta Abstract - The increasing incidence of academic credential fraud, inefficient verification procedures, and reliance on centralized record management systems present significant challenges for higher education institutions. This study proposes and evaluates a blockchain-based academic credential issuance and verification platform using Hyperledger Fabric to improve the security, authenticity, and efficiency of academic credential management. The platform enables university registrars to issue digital academic credentials, allows students to securely access and share academic records, and provides employers and external entities with a reliable credential verification mechanism. To ensure data integrity while maintaining scalability and privacy, the framework integrates blockchain-based cryptographic hashing with off-chain cloud storage. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the theoretical framework. Data were collected from 40 registrar personnel at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines through a structured survey instrument measuring Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use. Findings revealed that respondents strongly agreed that the platform improves security, credential verification, operational efficiency, accessibility, and flexibility. The results demonstrate that Hyperledger Fabric can provide a secure, tamper-resistant, and efficient infrastructure for managing academic credentials in higher education institutions. The study contributes to the growing adoption of blockchain technology in education by presenting a practical and institution-oriented framework for secure and verifiable digital credential management.
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