Transparent Academic Evaluation Process: Integrating the Blockchain Technology

The Context

The rapid digital shift in higher education demands transparent, credible academic evaluations, rendering traditional, cramming-focused assessments obsolete. Addressing manual errors, security, and delays, LJKU innovatively evaluates students comprehensively through 360-degree assessments. Recognizing continuous formative evaluation's importance over high-stakes tests, LJKU integrated Coursera (MOOC) platform, SWAYAM courses and MOODLE for a holistic ecosystem. Notably, LJKU has adopted blockchain for transparent and resilient examination mechanisms, possibly being the sole university leveraging this technology for total transparency.

Objectives of the Practice

Comprehensive evaluation of knowledge and skills, transparent processes free from bias, and assessment of industry readiness are the key objectives of this process. Enhancing trust, eliminating errors, and improving governance through technology, alongside supporting continuous learning via digital platforms, are its crucial aims.

The Practices

LJKU developed quite innovative methodologies to assess the learning standards of the students. Depending upon the discipline, the methodologies vary. However, one common factor among all is that industry is directly and intensively involved in evaluation. To portray a few examples:

LJKU's School of Engineering extensively uses MOODLE for exams. Industry experts and external faculty conduct practical exams, ensuring unbiased assessment. Students solve random problems with dynamic parameters in a 6-hour evaluation with immediate feedback. Written papers follow Bloom's Taxonomy, with results in 24 hours. Students receive answer books, can seek clarification, and request re-evaluation by two external experts. Parents receive class performance updates, and students can view any answer book, ensuring complete transparency.

The School of Computer Applications offers on-demand examinations at student convenience. Computer-generated papers, based on Bloom's Taxonomy and varying difficulty levels from a question bank, ensure unique assessments for each student, even in group settings, maintaining similar difficulty.

The School of Pharmacy conducts continuous 36-48-hour practical exams adhering to industrial practices, unlike standard 3-4-hour tests at PG level. Industry expert examiners evaluate not just results but the entire process, ensuring proper industry practice. They provide immediate feedback, highlighting student strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. The process can also serve as an indirect way of Placement for the PG students.

Authenticating the Results: A Tamperproof System

LJKU employs a blockchain-based system for secure and authentic marksheets, potentially a first in India. Once results are on the immutable ledger, they cannot be altered, reducing reliance on central control and minimizing tampering risks. Students, faculty, parents, and recruiters can transparently verify results, boosting the institution's accountability.

Evidence of Success

·  Since its start, LJKU's robust evaluation system has seen zero result manipulation or technical disputes, despite a 'Zero Grace' policy.

·  Feedback shows enhanced student satisfaction and trust.

· Faculty productivity has risen with faster processing.

· Industry involvement and tamper-proof records have increased graduate credibility and recognition.

· Consistent engagement with assessments has improved academic outcomes.

·N otably, industry collaboration has led to paid internships (₹15,000-₹35,000/month) for students in Engineering, Management and Event Management.

Harnessing Technology, creating ‘Futurepreneurs’

Overview

Antrapreneur – The Business Incubator is an innovation-driven initiative by Lok Jagruti Kendra (LJK), aimed at promoting innovations and entrepreneurial thinking among students, early-stage founders, and innovators. Rooted in the belief that educational institutions play a critical role in shaping future entrepreneurs, Antrapreneur provides a methodical pathway for ‘Mind to Market’ (ideas to scalable ventures) through a comprehensive and structured support.

Objectives

• Instil entrepreneurial competencies among youth to nurture job creators, not job seekers.

• Offer comprehensive support—mentorship, legal guidance, technical infrastructure, and funding access—to transform ideas into viable businesses.

• Foster industry-academia collaboration and interdisciplinary innovation.

• Align with national missions like Start-up India, Atal Innovation Mission, and NEP 2020 to create a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• Drive socio-economic impact by supporting start-ups addressing real-world challenges.

Strategic Intermediation

360° Start-up Support :  Covers all stages from ideation to commercialization with personalized mentoring, business development, branding, and legal aid.

Funding Facilitation:  Connects start-ups to seed funding, angel investors, VCs, and government schemes like SSIP and NEWGEN IEDC.

Expert Mentorship:  Leverages a network of seasoned entrepreneurs, domain experts, and faculty mentors.

Innovation Infrastructure :  Offers co-working spaces, high-speed internet, maker labs, and meeting rooms.

Engaging Programs:  Hosts bootcamps, hackathons, and events like Antrapitch and Antracon to cultivate start up readiness.

Academic Integration:  Strong institutional connect with LJ University to identify talent and foster interdisciplinary projects.

Evidence of Success

1.Total Fund sanctioned by the Government for building the start-up ecosystem: -

Before 2020

i.      Industries Commissionerate’s (GoG) Rs. 3,11,80,000/-

ii.    NewGEN IEDC, GoI –                      Rs. 1,07,50,000/-

iii.  SSIP (GoG)–                                      Rs.    19,00,000/-

After 2020

i.      Startup India Seed fund Scheme (GoI) – Rs. 4 ,00,00,000/-

ii.    DFC Parivartan Grant –                          Rs.     35,00,000/

iii.  IT/ITes –                                                  Rs.    50,00,000/-

iv.  Industry Commissionerate’s (GoG)         Rs. 1,85,20,000/-

v.    NewGEN IEDC DST, (GoI) –                 Rs. 1,80,00,000/-

vi.  SSIP 2.0 (Govt. of Gujarat) –                  Rs.   10,00,000/-

2.     No. of Mentors: - 300+

3.     No. of Industry MoU: - 8

4.     No. of Investment collaboration: - 43

5.     No. of patents Applied: - 58

6.     No. of patents Granted: - 5

7.     Total no. of Students Sensitized: - 25000+

8.     No. of Matured Start-ups: -

                                                   i.     Before 2020: - 25

                                                 ii.     After 2020:    - 45

9. No. of Student Startups:-

                                                   i.     Before 2020: - 6

                                                 ii.     After 2020:   - 19

10. No. of funding Events Organised: - 20

i.      Shark teen               -5

ii.      Antra pitch             -2

iii.    Antra com              -2

iv.    WIW                       -3

v.      Startup Week          -2

vi.    Solutionist              -3

vii.   GCCI                     -1

viii.  SBN                       -1

ix.      Antra scale             -1

11. No. of Start-ups Completed the cycle to maturity: - 15

12. No. of Start-ups raised private funding: - 12

13. Amount of private funding raised: - Rs. 21.34 cr.