Tunisia has officially launched the Unified Arab System for Diploma Authenticity Verification, joining forces with other Arab nations to streamline the process of diploma validation. Initiated on February 28, 2025, as part of Tunisia’s broader digital transformation agenda, this innovative system enables agencies and recruiters to efficiently verify diplomas issued by local higher education institutions. The move is a direct response to a 2023 investigation conducted by the Tunisian Association for the Fight Against Corruption, which revealed that between 120,000 and 200,000 civil servants may have been hired from 2011 to 2021 using fraudulent diplomas.
The new system enhances the security of academic records by storing each diploma as a unique, secure, and tamper-proof block. This technology effectively prevents forgery, fraud, and unauthorized modifications, allowing institutions, employers, and other stakeholders to instantly verify the authenticity of diplomas. As a result, the need for lengthy administrative procedures is eliminated, making the verification process much more efficient.
This initiative is a crucial element of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s digital transformation strategy, aimed at protecting the integrity of diplomas, improving digital competencies, and modernizing the education sector. The system stems from a cooperation agreement signed in November 2024 between Tunisia and the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). A successful pilot program conducted in three Tunisian institutions demonstrated the system’s effectiveness, paving the way for its nationwide implementation.
Algeria, Egypt, and Libya also participated in the pilot program, which not only addresses issues of fraud but is also expected to enhance academic and professional mobility. By ensuring immediate and unquestionable recognition of diplomas both domestically and internationally, the system represents a strategic advancement for Tunisia’s education sector, bolstering the credibility and global competitiveness of its universities.
Mohamed Ould Amar, the director-general of ALECSO, stated;
The implementation of this unified system will signify a major leap forward in higher education in our region. It will combat certificate forgery, thereby enhancing the credibility of our educational institutions. Furthermore, this system will facilitate student enrollment in Arab universities through the mutual and rapid recognition of certificates, increasing employers’ confidence in graduates’ qualifications and improving transparency in academic and administrative processes.
Similar initiatives are emerging across Africa. For instance, some universities in Nigeria are exploring the use of blockchain technology to record diplomas, ensuring authenticity and simplifying the verification process. A study by Market Research Future projects that the blockchain market in education could reach $1.3 billion by 2030, with an estimated annual growth rate of 33.7%. This anticipated growth reflects the increasing adoption of blockchain technology by educational institutions seeking secure and efficient diploma management solutions.
