Bachelor of Science in Indigenous Knowledge Systems at University of Northwest

The IKS Centre host the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (BIKS) which is a unique, professional four years degree approved by the NWU Senate, Institutional Committee for Academic Standards (ICAS), South African Qualification Authority (SAQA), Department of Higher Education, and Training (DHET) and the Council.

Admission Requirement

English level 4

Matriculation with exemption OR Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) OR GCE certification and an application for conditional exemption with HESA (https://mb.usaf.ac.za/)

DURATION: 4 years.

Career Opportunities

Education

Cultural tourism

Agriculture

Art

Culture

Health

Heritage

Government departments

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

Traditional authorities & local municipalities,

Research organizations such as (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) or Human Science

Research Council (HSRC).

What is the main role of the indigenous knowledge system?

indigenous knowledge plays role in conserving nature, food production, forestry development, medicine, sustainable practices, land and resource management and ecotourism, climate change, and disaster risk reduction.

There are several challenges for preserving and promoting indigenous knowledge systems also revealed.

What are the challenges of indigenous knowledge?

The major challenges to the management and preservation of indigenous knowledge are issues relating to collection development, intellectual property rights, access, and the preservation of media.

Why indigenous knowledge is important?

Indigenous knowledge can help to meet the broader objectives of society, for instance conserving the environment, developing sustainable agriculture, and ensuring food security, while its protection encourages the maintenance of traditional practices and lifestyles.