An integrated blockchain architecturefor sustainable higher education administration

Purpose Universities worldwide face significant challenges in maintaining administrative data, including security flaws, delays in verification processes and a lack of confidence among those involved. The purpose of this paper is to design an integrated blockchain-based decentralized application architecture for the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Oman, aligning with Vision 2040’s sustainability goals. Design/methodology/approach The solution uses a hybrid architecture that combines the benefits of the public blockchain with governance at the consortium level appropriate for educational organizations. The user interface layer has role-based dashboards for various stakeholder groups, ensuring proper access control and user experience improvement. The application layer integrates Web3 using the Next.js framework, allowing for seamless interaction between standard Web interfaces and blockchain capabilities. The smart contract layer is made up of eight specialized contracts that handle various administrative responsibilities, each designed with a modular architecture to provide maintainability and upgradeability. The blockchain layer makes use of Ethereum’s proven infrastructure and proof-of-stake consensus, which is dispersed across UTAS’s 13 campuses to ensure decentralization and fault tolerance. Findings This study broadens the architecture by leveraging well-established blockchain frameworks for credential management to include a wide range of educational administrative tasks such as admissions, certifications, alumni management, library services, on-the-job training, examinations and placements across UTAS’s 13 campuses located in 11 governorates. The suggested system makes use of the Ethereum blockchain platform with smart contracts, as well as the InterPlanetary File System for distributed document storage, to ensure immutability, transparency and cost-effective administrative operations. The architecture consists of eight core smart contracts that regulate various administrative duties, five types of stakeholders and a uniform dashboard system that allows seamless data transmission and verification across campuses. Practical implications Key contributions include a practical implementation framework with phased deployment methods, a complete stakeholder governance model and quantitative benefits showing a reduction in processing times and operational cost savings. The architecture’s modular nature allows it to adapt to changing educational requirements while remaining compatible with new technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Originality/value This research addresses the present limitations of traditional educational administration systems and establishes a framework for the further deployment of blockchain technology in Oman’s higher education sector.