Indigenous Knowledge Systems Research Unit

Director: Dr Gilbert Motlalepula Matsabisa
E-mail: motlalepula.matsabisa@mrc.ac.za

"Going back to our roots for innovative health solutions"

The MRC has established the Indigenous Knowledge Systems [Health] (IKS). It aims to promote, develop and protect indigenous knowledge systems and its innovative systems of health through education, research and development, systems research and through policies that would be beneficial to all, in line with the mission and vision of the MRC.

Our Mission
The IKS mission is to promote and advance indigenous knowledge systems through research, research and development by making it a valued health model in the global environment and to redress health traditions, which until now have neglected health priorities and issues.

Our Vision
To become a centre of excellence in traditional medicines research, training and development both locally and regionally and to be competitive globally.

The IKS [Health] Unit objectives

• Coordination and development of health research in indigenous knowledge 
•  Institutional and community networks and support
•  Development of an enabling clinical trial environment
•  Innovations and commercialization in traditional health systems
•  Policies governing intellectual property and benefit-sharing
•  Research programmes that are appropriate & relevant
•  Support academic research
•  Funding