  With a growing number of institutions involved in the global education
market, it has become increasingly challenging to verify the authenticity of
academic achievements such as CVs and diplomas. Blockchain is an enabling
technology that can play a key role in solving this problem. This study
introduces a blockchain-based achievement record system that produces a
verifiable record of achievements. The proposed system aims to facilitate the
process of authentication and validation of certificates reliably, easily, and
quickly, leveraging the unique capabilities offered through Blockchain
technology (public Ethereum Blockchain) and smart contracts. We present the
design and implementation of the system and its components and tools. We then
evaluate the system through a number of studies to measure the system's
usability, effectiveness, performance, and cost. A System Usability Scale (SUS)
test gave a scale of 77.1. Through a literature survey, we demonstrate that
this system is a significant improvement on legacy systems, being both more
user-friendly and more efficient. We also conduct a detailed cost analysis and
discuss the positives and limitations of alternative blockchain solutions.
