Transcript authentication
Last week I raised a query on admin-student relating to authentication methods
used for transcripts and promised to provide a summary of responses.
Of the eight responding institutions, only one reported using a number of
security and design features in order to authenticate their transcripts and to avoid
the possibility of fraud.
Three respondents indicated that while their institution took reasonable steps to
prevent fraud, they did not include any special security features beyond using
good quality paper, colour printing and watermarks, etc.
Four respondents believed quite strongly that the onus was on the ‘owner’ of a
transcript not to act fraudulently and on the recipient of a transcript to verify its
contents with the providing institution. As such, these respondents questioned
the need for the transcript design to include any special security features.
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Dr Andrew West Switchboard: (0114) 222 2000
The University of Sheffield Direct Line: (0114) 222 1272
Student Services Department Fax: (0114) 222 1304
Firth Court Western Bank email: [log in to unmask]
Sheffield S10 2TN http://www.shef.ac.uk/~ssd/ug/
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