Interview: Philippine Science High School’s Joel Bautista on Pisay-DigiCert and Blockchain-Based Student Records
Joel Bautista, Chief of the Knowledge Innovation Division at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) and project leader for Pisay-DigiCert, explained the origin of the Pisay-DigiCert initiative.
- The online interview was conducted with Shiela Bertillo, Lead Writer at BitPinas.
In Focus: Pisay-DigiCert is an initiative led by the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) to enhance the security and management of student records using blockchain technology.
- Recent news: Earlier this month, the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) introduced Pisay-DigiCert, which is set for deployment by late 2024 or early 2025.
The following excerpt from the interview tackles the origin and use cases of Pisay-DigiCert project. Bautista also noted future potential applications of blockchain in education beyond record-keeping.
Note: The interview was conducted in a mix of Filipino and English. The transcript has been translated and edited for clarity.
Interview: Philippine Science High School
Shiela, BitPinas (00:07): Good day! Before we start, could you please introduce yourself and what you do?
Joel, PSHS (00:18): Hello, I’m Joel Bautista, currently the Chief of the Knowledge Innovation Division of the Philippine Science High School System. I’m also the project leader for Pisay-DigiCert.
Shiela, BitPinas (00:28): First of all, thank you, and congratulations on the launch of Pisay-DigiCert! Can you share the inspiration behind creating Pisay-DigiCert and why blockchain was the technology chosen to manage student records?
Joel, PSHS (00:58): Yes, of course!
Let me share a backstory. In 2022, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the DOST PCIEERD, launched a blockchain training program for DOST researchers and IT personnel. They called for nominations, and since the Philippine Science High School is an attached agency, I was fortunate to be nominated. My nomination was accepted, and I attended the week-long blockchain training with other DOST staff, IT personnel, and researchers. (Read more: DOST to Train In-House Scientists in Blockchain)
One of the requirements was to develop a capstone proposal on how we could apply blockchain in our respective agencies. Luckily, our capstone was selected for funding by DOST PCIEERD for implementation. Other agencies like CITDI and ITDI were also selected. My thought process was to apply blockchain in an academic setting since Philippine Science is a school. The goal was to explore how blockchain could benefit the institution, and one use case I proposed was for student records.
Although we are still in the integration phase, we aim to enhance the security of student records from enrollment to graduation by leveraging blockchain.
Shiela, BitPinas (05:08): Thank you for that. Just a follow-up, how will PSHS handle requests from other universities or employers for student records, especially for high school graduates moving on to college? How will the exchange of records happen?
Joel, PSHS (05:43): The idea is to provide a portable digital credential, essentially a PDF with enhanced security for verification and authenticity through blockchain. The request for records will happen online, and the blockchain will secure the process through hashing. The goal is to develop an online portal where students can request and receive their digital records.
Currently, we don’t have a centralized system, but this project provides an opportunity to create one. With 16 campuses across the Philippines, a centralized platform will allow graduates to request records online, without needing to physically go to their campus.
Shiela, BitPinas (08:02): I just want to clarify, what blockchain ecosystem are you using and why was it chosen?
Joel, PSHS (08:13): Sorry Shiela, I’m not sure if this is under NDA, but we’re more focused on using the hashing aspect of blockchain for now. We’re also working on copyright protection and the application process for the National Privacy Commission.
Shiela, BitPinas (08:45): Were there any specific technical challenges you encountered while implementing this initiative?
Joel, PSHS (08:57): At first, we didn’t have an in-house programmer, which was a challenge since blockchain development is a specialized field. Luckily, we found a Philippine-based developer to assist us. Sustainability is another consideration, especially with hosting, but as this is a grant-funded project, we’re working on stabilizing it.
Shiela, BitPinas (10:42): What are your thoughts on the future potential of blockchain in education beyond record-keeping? Are there any plans for Pisay to implement other blockchain-based services?
Joel, PSHS (11:00): While I can’t speak on behalf of the entire Philippine Science High School System, as a project leader and technologist, I believe blockchain has broader applications beyond education records. For instance, other agencies could use blockchain for voting systems, making processes more transparent. In education, blockchain could be used for micro-credentialing and tracking student progress in specialized fields without needing a full four-year degree. There are many untapped use cases, and increasing awareness will allow us to maximize the technology’s potential.
Keep reading BitPinas for interviews with the people who move the crypto industry in the Philippines forward.
This article is published on BitPinas: Interview: Pisay-DigiCert Lead on Project Origin and Future of Blockchain in Education
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