Creating the Value of Indigenous Knowledge and Technologies in Technology Education Curriculum Through Intellectual Property Rights

Abstract

In Africa, recognising the value of intellectual property rights from indigenous knowledge and technologies is in the infancy stage. Communities have been exploited because of a lack of knowledge in the subject area. It is time for communities to benefit from their indigenous knowledge and technologies. This chapter proposes that Technology Education can play an essential role in educating students on the value of intellectual property rights. In turn, students will educate their various communities on protecting their indigenous knowledge and technologies. The chapter discusses the importance of indigenous knowledge and technologies, intellectual property rights, and appropriate forms to protect indigenous knowledge. The relevance of indigenous knowledge and technologies in the fourth industrial revolution is discussed. The chapter concludes by proposing a framework that can be used to teach indigenous knowledge and technologies and intellectual property rights in the Technology Education (TE) curriculum.