Researchers under the IK cluster, led by Professor Heike Winschiers-Theophilus, traveled to Epupa and Okanguati from the 20 to 26 July 2020 as part of their explorations and research work under the SCIONA project (sciona.nust.na). One of IK cluster’s long-time collaborators, Uariehike Mbinge, was part of the trip as well. During the trip several activities were undertaken, primarily ethnobotanical walks, where local community plant experts were able to showcase different plants in their area. During the ethnobotanical walks the plant experts used tools that were developed for data collection to record essential data about the plants that were spotted. Thereafter, the plant experts gave feedback on their experiences whilst using the tools. The feedback will be used to appropriate the tools, so that they fit the local context in which they will be used. An activity of note was the participatory mapping, during which community members and SCIONA researchers explored how to best represent their environment and context on maps. Whilst engaging the Epupa and Okanguati community members, as part of indigenous knowledge sharing and preservation, Mr Mbinge shared the experiences that he gained from the collaborations with the IK cluster with the community members in Epupa and Okanguati. In…
In November 2019, Prof Kasper Rodil form the Aalborg University in Denmark travelled to Namibia. During his stay he interacted with the IK cluster members based in Namibia. Prof Rodil demonstrated some of the technology that he is working with, particularly VR. He brought a VR device that the local IK cluster members tried out. It was a fascinating experience, and many different use cases were formulated.
The IK Cluster is part of a three-year funded EU project, called SCIONA. The project aims “to strengthen cross-border ecosystem management and wildlife protection through co-designing and implementing conservation monitoring technology with the park authorities and surrounding communities. The IK cluster has extensively engaged local indigenious communities that are involved in the project. Through local community engagement, primarily co-design, several conservation management and monitoring technologies have been developed and continue to be developed.
