In today's dynamic digital landscape, Verifiable Credentials (VCs) represent a groundbreaking shift in diploma and certificate issuance, streamlining administrative processes and offering tamper-proof security through blockchain technology.

Howest University of Applied Sciences is at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging its expertise in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and innovative web platforms. The Cyber3Lab research group of Howest aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications that meet the needs of businesses and government entities.

Howest is positioning Belgium as a leader in digital excellence within the European Union (EU) through its active participation in the EU-funded project EBSI-NE. By expanding the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) and its educational use case across Belgium, Howest is driving innovation and establishing a secure, robust blockchain network.

As part of the EBSI-NE project, Howest will set up and manage an EBSI node to host the ledger and create/broadcast transactions, providing essential technical support to Belgian stakeholders and ensuring seamless operation.

One key task within the EBSI-NE project is organising an open Engagement & Awareness Seminar which features expert speakers and focus on EBSI's network, purpose, and use cases, following the 5W approach (who, what, when, where, why).

Howest organises this seminar on the 26th of November in collaboration with Access Advisors. The event aims to demystify EBSI for Belgian stakeholders, including those interested in understanding and participating in EBSI.

The event also inserts within the transition from EBSI to EUROPEUM-EDIC, a new legal entity established by a consortium of nine Member States and hosted by Belgium. The initiative aims to deepen cooperation on blockchain and Web3 technologies. The EUROPEUM-EDIC will further deploy and expand the exploitation of EBSI to deliver EU-wide cross-border public services, reinforcing trust and cyber resilience in compliance with EU regulations, such as the newly adopted European Digital Identity (EUDI) framework. In addition to Belgium, the founding members of the EUROPEUM-EDIC include Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia, with Poland officially requesting to join and other Member States expected to express interest.