A team of Moroccan academics has unveiled a blockchain-driven solution aimed at combating diploma fraud while enhancing transparency and reducing administrative costs in academic certification. The initiative, known as BlockMEDC, leverages Ethereum smart contracts to automate diploma issuance and maintain secure academic records. This decentralized system is intended to replace traditional paper-based certification with immutable digital credentials.
Universities Lead the Blockchain Charge
Developed collaboratively by researchers from Sultan Moulay Slimane University and Mohammed First University, the system has already achieved notable milestones, including the filing of a patent and the publication of their work in high-profile technology journals. The researchers explained that the system assigns each student and lecturer a unique digital academic account, which enables real-time tracking of grades and automatic issuance of certificates upon fulfillment of predefined academic criteria.
BlockMEDC stores data using distributed ledger technology, allowing students to receive tamper-proof digital diplomas. These credentials can then be accessed by employers or third parties to verify academic backgrounds without requiring physical copies, thereby streamlining the verification process and improving transparency. According to the researchers, this digital transformation could significantly reduce institutional costs associated with traditional certification methods.
While the initiative currently focuses on Moroccan universities, discussions are underway to integrate the system with the broader national education framework, particularly through the MASSAR educational platform. The researchers are optimistic that this early academic success will serve as a gateway for implementing blockchain across other sectors, including healthcare and energy.
A Broader Push for Digitization
This blockchain-based education reform aligns with Morocco’s broader digital transformation agenda. The country has been increasingly embracing emerging technologies to counter cyber threats and modernize public infrastructure. In particular, the government is promoting the integration of blockchain and artificial intelligence across critical sectors in an effort to achieve a projected 10% increase in GDP by 2030. However, despite these forward-looking initiatives, Moroccan authorities maintain a firm stance against the use of digital assets, signaling continued regulatory constraints in the crypto space.
The drive for innovation is not isolated to North Africa. Across the European Union, there has been a surge in interest in artificial intelligence, particularly in research funding. The European Research Council (ERC) reported a record number of funding proposals for AI-related projects over the past year. ERC Vice President Eystein Jansen shared insights during GITEX 2025 in Germany, noting that AI has now become a standard tool in most scientific research domains.
Jansen emphasized that the volume and complexity of AI proposals have necessitated structural changes within the ERC, including the formation of specialized panels to review applications. He also highlighted inflation and economic instability as factors contributing to the increased value of grants. At present, new researchers can secure up to €1.5 million ($1.7 million), while experienced AI scientists may receive as much as €2.5 million ($2.8 million). Overall, the ERC distributes around $2.8 billion annually, a figure expected to rise alongside growing AI adoption.
Regulation and Innovation on a Collision Course
Despite the growing enthusiasm for AI research, the path to real-world implementation may face hurdles due to stringent regulatory frameworks. The recent passage of the EU’s landmark AI Act has introduced strict compliance standards, especially in education, healthcare, and security. Several high-profile AI companies, including OpenAI, Meta, and Anthropic, are currently under scrutiny by European regulators for alleged violations of copyright laws, data privacy norms, and antitrust rules.
Jansen has argued that Europe must move beyond theoretical research and focus on deploying practical AI solutions. He acknowledged that while Europe excels in research, it lags behind other regions in the actual application of emerging technologies. Calls have also been made for countries like Turkey to actively participate in the ERC’s initiatives, with the Council having funded 40 projects there to date.
As both Morocco and the EU navigate the balance between innovation and regulation, blockchain and AI technologies continue to reshape traditional sectors—from education to finance—marking the dawn of a new digital era.
