Herewith is a list of frequently asked questions that the HONERI receives daily. This list will hopefully assist you in getting a clearer understanding on how the HONERI functions and how it fits into the natural health field. If you have any queries, first check to see if we have already answered them on our website. If you still require information, please contact one of our Research Facilitators and they will gladly assist you.
The HONERI is Private Institute, which derives its funding from donations, consultancy and providing a Research Associate Program. The HONERI is not affiliated to any government department and does not receive any funding from the natural health manufacturing or distribution industry. This is to ensure that we remain objective and so that no bias occurs. The HONERI is currently applying for accreditation as an NGO (non-governmental organization) with the South African government, as it has a unique contributing role to civil society. All Research Associates who enroll into our co-research Program, are contributors to the collective research of the Institute. All dissertations and research conducted by the Education and Research department is collated and disseminated through our public website and is sometimes incorporated into our Research Associate syllabus. All Research Associates conduct their own research at their own expense. Because the research is based on dissertations, there are very few costs involved in conducting and publishing the materials. All personal research by Research Associates remains their intellectual property right. This means that they can submit their own research to journals or periodicals of their choice. However, each Research Associate agrees to allow the HONERI. to publish the contents of their research and/or assignments for further research and education purposes. All research materials supplied by the HONERI are copyright. Research Associates are persons who voluntarily commit, by joining the HONERI, so they can assist the HONERI in it's natural health research function. Research Associates are offered a free in-house training Program, so they can be brought up to speed with the latest trends in natural health promotion. There is a honorarium required for enrollment as a Research Associate. This honorarium is prescribed for basic cost recovery purposes and for the further international promotion of the HONERI. Research Associates conduct in-house research by studying our informative modules, which can be studied by distance learning. We provide assessment of the Research Associate's understanding of Traditional Western Herbalism (Herbology) and Optimal Nutrition by allowing Research Associates to submit self-assessment assignments after each module completed. The in-house Program is a necessary tool in gearing Research Associates towards their research purpose, as it provides a unique, evidence-based foundation in natural health. Therefore, Research Associates are NOT students of an education Program, but co-contributors to the collective knowledge-pool of natural health care. This is what sets the HONERI apart from education institutions and schools. The HONERI should not to be construed as a school, college, or university. Anybody who can read, write and speak English, plus has biology and/or physical science as a subject passed at matric level. (Matric is a term used in South Africa for either O-level in the U.K, or 12th Grade in the USA) Persons over the age of 21 can enroll as mature students without the above prerequisites. We accept Research Associates from all countries around the world. No, the HONERI offers its Research Associate Program to anyone, anywhere. Wherever you are, the HONERI is able to facilitate your Program, as all materials can be accessed through the internet. We also post all necessary materials to Research Associates. Currently, we have 70% of our Research Associates outside South Africa. Of the countries where we have enrolled Research Associates, the majority come from English speaking countries, as the Program is offered in the English language. (e.g. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States of America) All the materials provided in the Research Associate Program are self-contained and eliminate the need for Research Associates to attend face-to-face lectures. We provide video and audio content in our Program, which supplements practical involvement. We also provide a free audio conferencing facility which is regularly conducted over the internet using the PalTalk software provided freely to our members. Without the necessity for face-to-face lectures, we are able to keep down our honorariums, so that natural health research can be both affordable and accessible to all. Because we do not offer traditional education (as defined by the Higher Education Acts in South Africa), we are not in the position to charge 'student fees' for our Program. Therefore, we prescribe a Honorarium, which is a recommended amount for the recuperation of costs involved in facilitating your Research period. An Honorarium is basically a voluntary payment for the Research Associate's recognition of acts and professional services by the HONERI for the duration of their Research Associate Program. Currently, Traditional Western Herbalism (Herbology) does not fall under any government body's control or jurisdiction in South Africa. 'Herbalism' used to be regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council prior to the enactment of Act 50 of 2000 (Allied Health Professions Act). However, because of the adoption of Phytotherapy (Medical Herbalism), Traditional Western Herbalism has been left to the sphere is self-determination. The HONERI has taken the initiative to create a category of graduates and existing Traditional Western Herbalists so that Fellowships can be awarded. The HONERI acts as a self-regulating body for Traditional Western Herbalists at this time. We encourage graduates to begin consulting as Traditional Western Herbalists and support the health care system as complementary medicine practitioners. It must be stressed that one does not need a license to consult as a Traditional Western Herbalist at this time. There are now moves by the South African government to regulate and control the practice of Traditional Herbalists. The HONERI is currently in dialogue with the relevant government and traditional medicine role-players to establish a statutory register for Traditional Western Herbalists. It is our contention that Traditional Herbalists are no different, whether they are African, Western Chinese, etc. As soon as the new Traditional Medical Practitioners Council is formed, we will assess the situation and decide (by vote of Fellows) whether we wish to establish a register for Traditional Western Herbalists. Statutory registration has many advantages, but also has its drawbacks. To this end, the HONERI will keep its Research Associates and Fellows updated. INTERNATIONAL: Graduates from countries outside South Africa are advised to consult their local government departments and find out whether Traditional Western Herbalism is regulated or not. The HONERI will assist all graduates by proving all applicable information required by the local government's accrediting body for accreditation. We stress, however, that we do not offer any guarantee of registration or accreditation where local laws may prescribe education which differs substantially from the HONERI Research Associate Program. Research Facilitators are persons who have joined the HONERI as active promoters of the Research Associate Program. Research Facilitators have regional areas under their control. Research Facilitators relieve the Head Office of its administrative functions, promotional duties and general enquiries. Research Facilitators also are responsible to enroll prospective Research Associates. There are four options to choose from. Firstly, an enrollee can post us a bank-guaranteed cheque (check) with their enrollment form and other relevant documentation. Postage unfortunately takes up to a month internationally. This means that there will be quite a delay in getting started with your Program. Please note that we do not accept cash by post, as we can not guarantee its safe arrival. Secondly, you may fax your enrollment form and other relevant documentation and make a direct bank transfer (wire transfer) into our account. You must then attach you bank deposit slip to us, so we have prima-facie proof of payment. This does speed up enrollment considerably. We will however require that you send your documentation to us by post, as we require these for your records when they arrive later. As soon as we receive you fax and deposit confirmation, Research Associate Program materials will be dispatched. While you wait for the post, we will provide you with a password to access the materials online should you have internet access. You may also pay by credit card. Lastly, you can meet a Research Facilitator personally and enroll with cash or cheque (check). For more detailed
information, visit our education section. No, the HONERI. can enroll a Research Associate at any time of the year because the Program is self-paced. If you have already qualified in a health science and have anatomy, physiology and biochemistry as subjects passed at an education institution, you may apply to the Director of Education and Research for exemption from studying these subjects. Because there are differing levels for these subjects offered by different institutions, you will have to submit a list of subjects taught to assess if an exemption can be awarded. Such an exemption however, does NOT entitle the enrollee to honorarium credit, but only from completing assignments for syllabi credited. No, the HONERI is a unique Program which differs from most colleges and universities. The modules offered are sequential and we can not offer subject credits or a discount off the honorarium. No, we do not offer these services. We are currently approaching various interest-groups to sponsor the honorariums of persons who may be eligible for a bursary due to their academic qualities and genuine lack of funding to enroll. The HONERI does NOT refund honorariums for any reason whatsoever. |
