OpenCerts provides a common standard for the issuance of digital certificates and verification of authenticity of those certificates. By adopting this common standard, we aim to allow Singaporeans to easily access and retrieve their digital certificates from a single location through their Skills Passport on MySkillsFuture.
The (i) N, O and A Levels, (ii) ITE qualifications, (iii) diploma and degree qualifications from polytechnics, LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Autonomous Universities (AUs) and the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC), as well as (iv) Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) digital certificates will be uploaded starting from this year.
Individuals may contact their respective institutions for more details on the availability of their digital certificates.
The following groups will benefit from the use of OpenCerts:
Individuals
Individuals can conveniently store, access and share their digital certificates from the Skills Passport within their MySkillsFuture accounts. This will support their own skills and career development journey. They will no longer need to obtain physical certified copies of their certificates.
Employers
Employers can easily verify the authenticity of the certificates on OpenCerts.
Institutions
Schools and certificate-issuing institutions can issue digital certificates and transcripts in the OpenCerts format, without having to invest in similar platforms of their own. Administrative load is expected to decrease as the demand for physical certified copies of certificates is expected to drop.
Each digital certificate is assigned a cryptographic proof, which is the digital fingerprint of the certificate, that allows for secure verification of the digital certificate. This digital fingerprint is stored on blockchain, a decentralised online ledger. Because the online ledger is decentralised, with multiple copies stored in different servers, records made on it cannot be altered or destroyed by a single person.
The certificate can be easily verified by employers directly through OpenCerts (opencerts.io), which will check the certificate data against its code on the blockchain for validity and signs of tampering.
1. Where do I view and retrieve my OpenCerts certificate?
Individuals will be able to access such digital certificates through their Skills Passport https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/individual/skills-passport.html on your personalised MySkillsFuture accounts.
2. How do I share my OpenCerts certificates?
You may download the certificates on Skills Passport and attach the OpenCerts file (.opencert) as an attachment in an email. Alternatively, you may choose to use the ‘share’ button on Skills Passport via the MySkillsFuture mobile application to send the certificates.
3. I received a Opencerts file (.opencert) file from an institution, but it is not stored in Skills Passport. Can I upload it on my Skills Passport?
Yes, you can upload your OpenCerts file in the Skills Passport. Under Skills Passport, click on ‘Add Qualification’ to upload your OpenCerts file.
4. Is there any fee involved for me to use OpenCerts?
No.
5. Can I rename my OpenCerts file?
Yes, you may rename the OpenCerts file but you must retain the file extension (.opencert) for it to be readable.
6. I am a graduate from one of the recognised issuer of OpenCerts. However, I did not receive my OpenCerts digital certificates from my institution, who should I contact?
7. When will all the digital certificates be available on MySkillsFuture?
SSG will further explore with the institutions on how OpenCerts can be extended to past graduates.
8. Will I continue to receive my physical certificates from my education and training institution, in addition to the OpenCerts digital certificate?
Please contact your respective education and training institution directly for clarification.
9. Do foreign alumni of Singapore education institutions have access to MySkillsFuture to retrieve their digital certificates?
All Singaporeans and PRs can access the Skills Passport in their MySkillsFuture accounts using their Singpass.
By year end, foreign alumni of Singapore education institutions can create a MySkillsFuture account using their FIN or student ID and personal particulars to retrieve digital certificates.
1. Who is registered as a recognised issuer of OpenCerts in the initial phase?
For a start, the registry includes all Polytechnics, Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Autonomous Universities, LaSalle College of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, SkillsFuture Singapore, Singapore Examinations & Assessment Board and the National Institute of Early Childhood Development.
2. My institution is interested to be added to the registry of recognised issuers, how do I submit my interest to be considered?
Project OpenCerts will adopt a phased and progressive rollout. If you wish to register your interest, please refer to https://docs.opencerts.io/identity_registry. We will inform if the institution is eligible to be added.
3. What are the technology requirements for my institution to come onboard?
You may refer to the technical specification document on https://docs.opencerts.io which defines the software and hardware requirements under ‘Resources → OpenCerts Technical Training Slides’.
1. How do I verify the authenticity of the OpenCerts certificates?
Individuals can download their digital certificates from the MySkillsFuture portal or share it via the mobile app with their potential employers.
Each digital certificate will have a unique cryptographic proof embedded within, which allows for secure verification of the certificate. The certificate can be easily verified by the employers directly through the OpenCerts platform (opencerts.io), which will check the certificate data against its code on the blockchain for validity and signs of tampering.
2. What happens if the OpenCerts (.opencerts) file is modified?
The modified certificate will fail the verification process and be flagged as having been tampered with. This mechanism helps in ensuring that certificates sent to a receiving party is authenticated (i.e. not tampered with).
3. Is there any fee involved for my company to use OpenCerts?
Please click here for FAQs on Project OpenCerts.