The AIIKS is mitigating the lack of critical mass of IKS human capital through supporting and facilitating the establishment of IKS teaching and learning programmes at all levels, in its nodes, nationally, continentally and internationally.
Examples of these efforts include:
- AIIKS Hub (CIKS), as a partnership of five higher education institutions in South Africa, i.e. University of KwaZulu-Natal, North West University, University of South Africa (UNISA), University of Venda and University of Limpopo. North-West University and University of Venda have established a multi-transdisciplinary 4-year Bachelor in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (BIKS) degree This is accredited with the South African National Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The multidisciplinary programme offers both core and elective modules in areas of indigenous agriculture, health, arts and culture as well as science and technology. The programme also serves as a pipeline to postgraduate level studies at Masters and Doctoral levels in other fields such as indigenous cultural astronomy, ethno-veterinary practice, reproductive health, metallurgy, ethno-mathematics, indigenous agriculture, indigenous arts and culture, indigenous life skills education, indigenous renewable energies and environment and disaster management.
- In line with UNESCO programmes promoting Cultural Heritage, the AIIKS Node, (University of Zambia (UNZA)) in partnership with UNESCO offers a degree programme in Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) studies. This was launched in February 2019, with its first intake of 20 students sponsored by UNESCO and the government of Zambia
- AIIKS Node (Institute of Traditional Medicine) at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania, has since 2009/2010 been hosting 2 Postgraduate programmes (Master of Science in Traditional Medicines Development (MSc. Trad Meds Dev), and PhD programme. These are aimed at producing graduates who will further strengthen the development of Traditional medicine within and outside the continent. The Master of Science in Traditional Medicines Development (MSc. Trad Meds Dev) is a four-semester programme. The PhD by research and publication is offered for 3 to 4 years at the Institute of Traditional Medicine in areas of traditional medicine development
- In order to avoid duplication of efforts and leverage on available collective human, natural, technical and infrastructural resources for sustainability of the Institute, The AIIKS Node, (Pharm-Bio Technology and Traditional Medicine Center (PHARMBIOTRAC), Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)) , is building partnership with AIIKS Node, Institute of Traditional Medicine (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania) to provide education and training through:
- Certificate Programmes on Production and Quality Assurance of Herbal Medicines
- Short Course Certificate Programmes for Continuous Professional Development in Traditional Medicine Development to address the gap in knowledge and skills required by the stakeholders on
- Regulatory aspects of herbal medicinal products with special reference to Africa countries
- Standardization and quality control of herbal products
- Documentation and maintenance of a repository of herbal products
- Intellectual Property Rights Aspects in Traditional medicine
- Good practices on using ATM Materia medica; Ethics in traditional medicine, Preparation and processing of Herbal remedies preparation, Intellectual Property Rights