The Department of Science and Technology (DST), in partnership with the Office of the Premier, Free State Province, will host the fifth IKS Expo, in Mangaung Free State Province. The 2015 IKS Expo is a DST’s biennial flagship public awareness campaign on IKS.
Under the theme “Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Our Heritage, Our Culture for Technological and Socio-economic Advancement, the Expo will essentially be a platform to display products derived from the Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and technologies of various communities, science councils, universities, public and private sectors by demonstrating their economic value and global competitiveness.
It is anticipated that the displaying of exhibits will demonstrate the extent to which IK interfaces with conventional western knowledge systems.
“I firmly believe that the EXPO is imperative in that it will create an environment where indigenous knowledge practitioners from all spheres of life, will come together to share their diverse cultural activities”, said the Premier of the Free State, Ace Magashule. “In a province as diversified as the Free State, this EXPO can only yield great results”, emphasized the Premier.
The 2015 IKS Expo aims to:
- Stimulate discussions and facilitate exchange of information on the protection, development, and management of indigenous knowledge
- Deliver an outstanding experience through innovative, cutting edge exhibitions and activities
- Provide an avenue for stakeholders to showcase their products and services to help educate students about the entrepreneurial opportunities in the communities; and
- To help inspire visitors to learn more about IKS.
The Premier of the Free State, Ace Magashule, and the Executive Council, will grace the occasion.
Details are as follows:
Date: Monday, September 28, 2015 – Wednesday, September 30, 2015
VEenue: PACOFS, Bloemfontein
Time: 8h00 on all three days
For further information regarding the event, you may contact:
Bafana Mthembu
Tel: 051 405 5938
E-mail: bafana.mthembu@fspremier.gov.za
