ElimuChain - Secure Academic Credential Verification

Welcome to ElimuChain!

ElimuChain is an innovative platform aimed at transforming academic credential verification in Kenya. By harnessing the power of both the Lisk blockchain for scalable sidechain functionality and Solidity for smart contract execution on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), we are dedicated to combating educational fraud, streamlining verification processes, and fostering trust in academic qualifications.

Project Overview

Purpose: ElimuChain provides a secure, transparent, and immutable system for issuing, managing, and verifying academic credentials. By integrating blockchain technology, we ensure the authenticity of educational certificates, reducing fraud and enhancing verification efficiency for educational institutions, students, and employers.

Technology Stack:

• Front-end: TBD (e.g., React, Vue.js)
• Backend: Solidity (Smart Contracts) on Ethereum/Lisk's EVM
• Blockchain: Lisk for sidechain scalability; Ethereum for smart contract functionality

Target Audience:

• Educational Institutions (Universities, Colleges, Schools)
• Students and Graduates
• Employers
• Government Bodies
• International Educational Partners

Functionality

ElimuChain offers key functionalities:

• Credential Issuance: Institutions can issue digital certificates via Solidity smart contracts, recorded on the blockchain.
• Verification: Employers or authorized parties can verify credentials instantly using smart contract functions with unique certificate IDs.
• Data Privacy: Users maintain control over their data through blockchain's cryptographic methods.
• Interoperability: Designed for seamless integration with existing educational systems.

Unique Features

• Hybrid Blockchain Approach: Combines Lisk's scalability with Ethereum's Solidity for robust and secure backend operations.
• User Empowerment: Students have direct control over their educational data, managing access permissions through smart contracts.
• Cultural Adaptation: Specifically tailored to meet the needs of the Kenyan educational context.
• Anti-Fraud Mechanism: The immutable nature of blockchain ensures the integrity of issued credentials.

Installation

Prerequisites:

• Node.js (version 14 or higher)
• Lisk SDK (version 5.x)
• Truffle Suite for Solidity development
• Git
• An Ethereum-compatible development environment (e.g., Ganache for local testing)

Steps:

1. Clone the Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/Adamur-Tribe/elimuchain
   cd elimuchain

2. Install Node Dependencies:

   npm install

3. Install Solidity Dependencies:

   • Ensure Truffle is installed globally:

   npm install -g truffle

   • Install project-specific Solidity dependencies:

   truffle compile

4. Configure Lisk Node & Ethereum Environment:

   • Edit config.json for Lisk node settings.
   • Set up your local Ethereum network or use an existing testnet.

5. Start the Node:

   npm run start

For development mode:

npm run dev

Usage

For Educational Institutions:

Deploy and interact with the CertificateIssuer contract:

contract CertificateIssuer {
    function issueCertificate(address student, string memory course, string memory institution) public;
    // Additional functions...
}

For Employers or Verifiers:

Verify credentials using the CertificateVerifier contract:

contract CertificateVerifier {
    function verifyCertificate(uint certificateId) public view returns (bool);
}

For Students:

Access your certificates through the frontend or directly interact with contracts.

Contributing

We welcome contributions to enhance ElimuChain! Here’s how you can help:

1. Fork the repository.
2. Create a feature branch:

   git checkout -b feature/AmazingFeature

3. Commit your changes:

   git commit -m "Add AmazingFeature"

4. Push to your branch:

   git push origin feature/AmazingFeature

5. Open a pull request.

Please ensure your code adheres to our standards and passes all tests. Refer to our Contribution Guidelines for more information.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See LICENSE.md for details.