According to a report by the Hong Kong Wenwei website on December 4, in response to a question about fake academic qualifications, Cai Ruolian, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government, said in a written reply to a question from a member of the Legislative Council today that, the Joint University Computer Centre, established by 19 tertiary institutions and institutions, has successfully developed and launched an inter-institutional certificate certification platform using blockchain technology for use by institutions and students of their own choice. Participating institutions can digitize graduates’ academic credentials and upload them to the platform, through which students can share their electronic credentials with relevant parties when they seek employment or study in the future, the process of verifying students’ qualifications is simplified and helps to combat fraudulent certificates.
Picture shows the Chinese University of Hong Kong, resource map, Picture Source: Hong Kong Wenhui net
According to reports, some Macao higher education institutions have found that some students were suspected of submitting forged documents of Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination results when they applied for and registered for school. Macao authorities have stepped up checks on academic qualifications and examination results, and the Hong Kong Assessment Authority has reported the incident to the police.
It was reported that in the past five years, the HKEAA had received one enquiry from a non-local tertiary institution on the authenticity of its students’ HKDSE results. The case was found to be a case of falsification of the HKDSE results. The HKDSE result notices and certificates issued by the HKEAA have multiple anti-counterfeiting features, including the use of fiber paper with watermark and the printing of words with micro-printing technology. The council has also been providing certification services for candidates, tertiary institutions and employers to ensure that candidates’ public examination results can be obtained or verified directly through official channels.
Cai Ruolian said that the HKEAA would closely monitor the situation regarding the HKDSE examination and study the feasibility of developing an electronic certification scheme to enhance service efficiency. The EDB will closely monitor the application and development of the above platform and explore the feasibility of establishing a more comprehensive platform in a timely manner.
Cai Ruolian reiterated that the HKDSE examination is a well-recognised qualification in Hong Kong and overseas, and is also an important credential for candidates to pursue further studies and employment. The Education Bureau (EDB) attaches great importance to the certification of HKDSE results in order to safeguard the confidence of the local and overseas community in the HKDSE qualifications. It is a serious offence to falsify or provide false academic qualifications. The HKEAA will refer any person who attempts to use false academic documents to law enforcement agencies for follow-up action.
According to the official website of the United Computer Centre of the University, as an alliance of higher education institutions in Hong Kong, the centre has been committed to the development and application of information technology in the higher education sector and has been working with the institutions, to contribute to the development of education and information technology in Hong Kong. At present, the centre has 8 full members and 11 affiliated members, including 8 full members including the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, etc. , and the City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Vocational Training Council, the University of Macau and other affiliated members.