Indonesian University UGM Implements On-Chain Records for 60,000 Students via Space and Time

Executive Summary

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Indonesia is adopting Space and Time's decentralized database to issue immutable on-chain academic records for approximately 60,000 students, enhancing educational access and global credential verification at no direct cost to students.

The Event in Detail

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), one of Indonesia's oldest and largest public research universities, announced its integration of Space and Time, a decentralized database platform, to store student course records on-chain. This initiative will provide immutable, verifiable digital credentials for an estimated 60,000 students, commencing with English proficiency courses. The system is designed to allow students to securely share their academic achievements with employers or other educational institutions globally. Concurrently, UGM is establishing an on-campus AI lab that will utilize Dreamspace, a tool built on Space and Time, to offer courses focused on AI application development. The project follows a partnership between the Indomobil Group, a major Indonesian automotive conglomerate, and the Space and Time Foundation, which oversees the decentralized database network originally developed by MakeInfinite Labs. Space and Time's infrastructure employs a custom chain that aggregates data from multiple blockchains and distributes it across a validator network, leveraging cryptographic proofs to verify query results without reliance on a single data source.

Financial Mechanics and Student Access

Central to UGM's implementation is a financial model that ensures no direct cost to students for utilizing the on-chain credentialing system. Students enrolled in the program will receive digital wallets preloaded with SXT tokens, the native digital asset of the Space and Time ecosystem. These tokens are designated to cover tuition and course fees directly, aiming to provide modernized education access particularly for those without traditional bank accounts. The SXT token itself plays a multi-faceted role within the Space and Time network, serving to secure the decentralized data layer, enable permissionless data marketplaces, and facilitate protocol payments for data queries, uploads, and compute services. The fixed supply of 5 billion SXT tokens underpins its economic foundation, with distributions allocated for community rewards, ecosystem development, investors, and the core team.

Business Strategy and Market Positioning

UGM's strategy aligns with broadening educational access and enabling global recognition of qualifications, positioning the university at the forefront of digital innovation in education. The adoption of a decentralized database like Space and Time aims to overcome intermediaries and traditional financial infrastructure, providing students with traceable and verifiable records of their accomplishments, as stated by Scott Dykstra, co-founder and CTO of Space and Time. This approach mirrors broader industry trends, exemplified by Geninfinity Education's launch of blockchain identity tools for its user base and Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia's platform for validating academic certificates. These initiatives collectively indicate a strategic shift towards user-controlled identity and tamper-proof digital records within the education sector. Space and Time, backed by Microsoft, is also positioning itself as a critical infrastructure layer where AI and blockchain converge, offering verifiable data pipelines for both decentralized and intelligent applications.

Broader Market Implications

This initiative by UGM establishes a significant precedent for the integration of blockchain technology within educational institutions globally. The move is expected to drive broader adoption of verifiable credentials and digital identity solutions across various sectors, demonstrating the scalability and utility of decentralized databases for institutional applications. The success of this model could influence other universities to explore similar blockchain-based solutions for secure, immutable record-keeping. While the market sentiment leans bullish for real-world blockchain adoption and utility, some reports, such as a 2025 ASEAN report on higher education mobility, caution that disparities in digital readiness could exacerbate existing inequities for institutions and students with fewer resources. Nevertheless, UGM's implementation contributes to the overall narrative of Web3 technologies fostering greater transparency and accessibility in critical data management.