About the project

The objective of this project is to establish a joint action programme that is used as a model for guiding the integration of traditional knowledge into the formal social economic fabric of communities in developing countries by sensitizing the experiences and knowledge from Uganda and Austria. Understanding the potential of traditional knowledge and ways to adapt it in accordance with inclusive efforts in educational contexts is crucial and will guide the collaboration activities of this project. At the core of this action there are three features, namely: (i) the development of versatile training structures that encapsulate traditional indigenous knowledge, (ii) gathering examples of successful formats of traditional knowledge economies and education, and (iii) inclusive sustainability designs to inform other contexts. To this end, the project will carry out joint research activities in Ugandan communities that have a long history of traditional knowledge practice and add insights from the Austrian apprenticeship model of vocational training. The specific objectives are: 1. To develop a framework for preservation and sustainable use of traditional knowledge for communities in an inclusive way 2. To explore mechanisms that uplift the social economic status of communities engaged in indigenous knowledge practices 3. To develop a curriculum that encompasses traditional knowledge for training learners at all levels of education In line with current efforts to realize SDGs, this application aims to assess and contextualize the role and potential of traditional knowledge in a transnational perspective through applying participatory research tools.

COORDINATING INSTITUTION Nkumba University

Nkumba University is a community-based not-for-profit institution. It was started in 1952 as a community kindergarten which later evolved through systematic stages into a University in 1994 and got chartered by the government of Uganda in 2006. At its governance helm is the registered Board of Trustees of Nkumba University. Today it is one of the leading teaching Universities in Uganda with a cross-cultural student population from all 5 East African countries, as well as South Sudan, Nigeria and Mauritius. Its student population often fluctuates from time to time from 5000 to 6000, studying in different modes of fulltime or part-time. As a result of the Covid 19 pandemic, the University is set to introduce ODeL. NU participates in international student mobility programs with a number of European Universities in Italy, Belgium, and also Fh Joanneum University of Applied Sciences in Graz, Austria on Erasmus+ KA 107 project. It offers a wide range of programs in six Schools namely; Law, Business and Information Technology, Education, Science, Social Science and, Art and Design. It has one of the leading PhD programs in Uganda and is firmly strengthening its institutional research programs.

The School of Commercial Industrial Art and Design (SCIAD) which is the unit spearheading this AfricaUniNet call is a center of applied art and design studies with a number of specializations including vocational education. It has 7 PhD holders among its staff and regularly receives Prof. Karl Schawelka, emeritus Professor from Bauhaus-Germany, on DAAD grants for teaching, research and PhD supervision. Currently, SCIAD has 5 PhD candidates. The choice of the topic of traditional knowledge for this research harmonizes with the strategic direction of SCIAD; to take the university to the community and contribute towards improvement of livelihoods especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged persons. This project shall offer another opportunity for the participating universities to systematically document aspects of traditional knowledge for continued use and benefit academic discourse, and to empower communities with innovative life- changing ideas to enhance their traditional knowledge.

PARTNER INSTITUTION University of Vienna

The University of Vienna is the leading institution of higher education in Austria and one of the biggest in Europe. In 2015 it celebrated its 650th anniversary. The Center for Teacher Education are divided into various research units, offering a diverse curriculum that spans the full range of educational research. Inclusive Education is a newly established subject at the Center for Teacher Education. It provides teacher training at BA – level in Inclusive Education and currently consists of 1 Tenure track (70%), 1 Post-doc/senior lecturer, 2 PhD candidates and a partly assigned Univ.Prof. (20%). With approximately 12.000 students in different programs of study, teaching is one of the most important tasks. It focuses on research concerning international and comparative inclusive education, as well as vocational and societal participation of students with disabilities, social and cultural disadvantages, and exceptional capabilities. The team members of UNIVIE have successfully coordinated and collaborated in many international research programs (e.g. INEDIS, ProITEM, CLASDISA, Quali-TYDES) and are internationally highly recognized for their research and publications in the field.