Postgraduate Diploma in Knowledge Management Sciences (NQF Level 8)
| Compulsory | Elective | |
| Level 8 credits: | 150 | 12 |
| Minimum total credits required: | 138 | – |
Rationale
One of the key aims of Namibia’s Vision 2030 was to transform Namibia into a Knowledge-Based Economy (KBE) and to intensify knowledge management and its utilization to accelerate national development by the target year 2030. While other sectors closely related to KBE such as ICTs utilization, formal education, and strengthening of the economy have received attention, knowledge management and its utilization have not yet received sufficient attention.
At the international level, there is a strong consensus that knowledge is the key driver of socio-economic development, and countries (and institutions in the public and private sector) that have not actively embraced this new way of decision-making are being left behind in their abilities to cope with modernization and enhanced and improved performance to achieve competitiveness. Therefore, in seeking to achieve accelerated development and create knowledge-intensive organisations, fit for the knowledge era, there is a need to embrace these new approaches to socioeconomic development and the management of organisations. There is an urgent need to improve the performance of individuals, institutions and the country as a whole by sharpening the capacity to harness the opportunities offered by the knowledge revolution, which will multiply the flow of new ideas and innovations from both internal and external sources to entrench the culture of knowledge-intensive organisations and knowledge society in general.
Purpose
The purpose of developing this qualification, Postgraduate Diploma in Knowledge Management Sciences (NQF Level 8) is to produce well-qualified individuals with knowledge balanced between science, management, and policy, and provide a scientific understanding of Knowledge Management, applicable to sustainable development and policy-making context. Vision 2030 fully embraces the idea of Knowledge Management for Sustainable Development; the type of development that meets the needs of the present, without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
This qualification, therefore, is an attempt at engaging interested individuals who qualify to take this intensive knowledge management course to acquire a wide range of knowledge sharing practices and tools, innovation creation, and application of ICTs tools in knowledge management.
Admission Requirements
Students will be admitted into this qualification if they hold a recognised bachelor degree at NQF level 7 in any discipline or a related qualification, including the following: social sciences and humanities, science, media and library and information studies, and human resources among others.
Qualification Duration
The Postgraduate Diploma in Knowledge Management Sciences takes a minimum of one-year full-time or a maximum of three years to complete.
Outcomes for whole qualification
Upon successful completion of the Postgraduate in Knowledge Management Sciences, the holders of this qualification are able to:
- Create customer value based on knowledge leadership and impact-bearing provision of knowledge products and services.
- Assist customers to access the right knowledge available at the right time in the right format to take the right decision and action.
- Facilitate the creation of knowledge networks; unleash the knowledge, experiences and co-creativity of intercultural and international teams and communities.
- Provide leadership in the digitalisation of information flows and knowledge processes.
- Drive the national transformation process into inclusive knowledge societies and contribute to sustainable development.
- Demonstrate mastery in the field of knowledge management practices, tools application, key theories of KM and policy and strategy formulation for a KM system.
Articulation Possibilities
The Postgraduate Diploma in Knowledge Management (Level 8) grants admission to Master of Science in Knowledge Management Level 9 or any other related qualification at NQF Level 9.
Credit Transfer
Candidates from other institutions or programs will be treated on a case-by-case basis depending on the relevance of the curricula followed at the previous institution or programs. Credit recognition of another institution or program’s courses can only be extended up to 50% of the credits needed for the qualification.
Assessment
Course work/Continuous assessment
Continuous assessment attracts 40% of the final grade. This will come from the activities and evaluations undertaken by the student during the study period. Students must score at least 50% in each course (both course work and practical’s) to qualify to sit for the final examinations. This means a student whose continuous assessment mark is below 50% fails the course. Formal Exams (FE) will contribute 60% of the final mark.
Final Examinations
The final examination counts for 60% of the overall final mark. The final examination comes at the end of the course. Unless prescribed otherwise, the standard examinations will be of three hours duration.
Supplementary Examinations
A student who fails a course with an overall mark of 40-49% is eligible to sit for a supplementary examination. A student who fails a project with a mark of less than 50% will be allowed one opportunity to re-submit three months after the publication of results. A student who fails a course with an overall mark of 39% and below will be required to repeat the course until the course is passed. A student may not proceed from one level to a higher level carrying more than 50% of the courses or credits.
Awarding of Qualification
Candidates will be eligible for the award of an appropriate qualification when they have passed all the required courses specified in the relevant programme regulations and have fulfilled any additional requirement stipulated by in the IUM student policies.
Teaching/Learning methods and strategies
This qualification will be offered through blended learning approach, including lectures, online tutorials, advanced simulations, video and audio conferencing technologies as well real-time practical experiential learning e.g. case studies, national and international conferences etc. Students must have access to a computer and the internet. The methods adapted for this programme are student-centred. Emphasis will be upon the need for students read and research extensively in each of the courses.
Compulsory
All the outcomes of the learning listed below are required.
FIELD: Business, Commerce and Management Studies
Subfield: Knowledge Management Sciences
| Course Title | Outcomes of Learning | Semester | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic writing | Apply the general language skills for academic study. | 1 | 8 | None |
| Knowledge Management Practices, Tools and Strategies | Demonstrate a detailed understanding of Knowledge Management practices and their application in an organization. | 1 | 8 | 12 |
| Knowledge Management Technologies | Establish how various technologies can be applied to support knowledge management initiatives | 1 | 8 | 12 |
| Communication and Knowledge Sharing | Analyse the strategies of communication to promote knowledge sharing among employees and/or members of a community. | 1 | 8 | 12 |
| Research Methodology | Demonstrate an understanding of relevant research methodologies and techniques and their appropriate application within their research field. | 1 | 8 | 12 |
| Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Decolonisation | Demonstrate Indigenous Knowledge System functions/applications – including in agriculture, livestock, climate change, culture and traditions | 1 | 8 | 12 |
| Research Project (Case Study) | Write a mini thesis based on the knowledge management research | 2 | 8 | 30 |
| Organisation leadership and knowledge management | Demonstrate understanding of the complex way leadership of an organisation plays an influential role in the adaptation of knowledge management | 2 | 8 | 12 |
| Intellectual Property Management for Knowledge Management | Analyse the general concepts of intellectual property and how they relate to knowledge management | 2 | 8 | 12 |
| Management of Innovations and Digital Transformation | Illustrate the strategies for the management of innovations and digital transformation in specific sectors of the economy of a country. | 2 | 8 | 12 |
| Electives – Choose only one | ||||
| Knowledge-Based Economy and Knowledge Society | Critically discuss the enabling regulatory environment for the knowledge-based economy and identify gaps in its implementation | 2 Elective | 8 | 12 |
| Knowledge for Sustainable Development | Identify the central pillars that a country can apply to put knowledge at the centre of its development paradigm | 2 Elective | 8 | 12 |
Teaching and Learning Methodology /arrangements
Delivery requirements
This qualification will be offered through blended learning approach. The study period for the qualification is minimum 1 year (full-time/part-time/block mode) and maximum 3 years. The qualification comprises of two (2) semesters per academic year. Semester one (1) runs from January to June and semester two (2) runs from July to December.
Quality assurance requirements
Commitment is made to ensure that the qualification remains relevant, current and provides students with a high-quality teaching and learning experience. Earnest efforts are made to ensure that quality assurance requirements are met through incorporating regular monitoring, review, benchmarking and continuous improvement. In addition, this qualification will be taught by person/s who have higher qualifications than Level 8.