Introduction

Welcome to Akademus—a living consortium dedicated to practical education that unites thought and action, from the earliest sparks of curiosity in Kindergarten to the deepest inquiries of Higher Learning. As Team Humanity, we invite you to join a global community where ancient arts like poetry, drawing, and meditation meet the rigor of physics and professional mastery.

These Terms of Service ("Terms") form a binding agreement between you and Akademus Education Consortium (referred to as "Akademus," "we," "us," or "our"), with our principal place of business in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, governing your access to and use of https://akademus.io/, our online professional training platform, mobile applications (if any), courses, content, forums, and related services (collectively, the "Services").

By accessing or using the Services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, and any additional guidelines we publish. If you do not agree, you must not use the Services.

We wrote these Terms to be clear, fair, and transparent—like a well-structured lesson plan. Legal language is kept to the essentials, with plain explanations alongside.

1. Eligibility and Account Registration

1.1 Who Can Use the Services

You must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction) to create an account or enroll in paid courses. By creating an account, you affirm that you have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

Minors under 18 may only use the Services under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or authorized educational institution, with explicit consent provided during registration. As we expand to younger learners (e.g., Akademus Kindergarten), separate child-specific terms and parental controls will apply.

If you are using our Services on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

1.2 Account Creation and Security

To access certain features of our Services, you may need to create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and update it promptly
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of your password and login credentials
• Notify us immediately at support@akademus.io of any unauthorized use of your account
• Not share your account credentials or course access with others
• Not use another person's account without permission

You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to maintain account security.

1.3 Account Suspension or Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account at our discretion if you violate these Terms, engage in harmful conduct, fraudulent activity, or for any reason with notice (except in urgent cases like fraud or security threats).

You may terminate your account at any time via account settings or by contacting us at support@akademus.io. Termination does not entitle you to a refund except as provided in our refund policy.

2. License and Intellectual Property Rights

2.1 Akademus Content and Limited License

All course materials, videos, texts, exercises (including physics simulations, drawing prompts, meditation guides, poetry modules, and certification training content), software, designs, logos, and trademarks are owned by or licensed to Akademus ("Akademus Content") and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Limited License: We grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use Akademus Content solely for your personal, non-commercial educational purposes during your active enrollment or subscription period.

Prohibited Uses: You may not:

• Copy, reproduce, distribute, or publicly display Akademus Content without our written permission
• Modify, create derivative works, or reverse engineer any content or software
• Use Akademus Content for commercial purposes or competing services
• Share course access with others or record/redistribute course materials
• Remove copyright, trademark, or proprietary notices
• Sell, rent, lease, or sublicense access to the Services

2.2 Your Content and User-Generated Content

When you submit content such as forum posts, assignments, projects, drawings, reflections, poetry, meditation journals, or other materials ("Your Content" or "User-Generated Content"), you retain ownership of your intellectual property rights.

However, by submitting Your Content, you grant Akademus a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works, display, publish, and distribute it for:

• Providing and improving the Services (e.g., peer review in a poetry workshop, community learning)
• Promoting Akademus and showcasing student success (anonymized where appropriate)
• Research and development to enhance educational offerings (anonymized where possible)
• Facilitating collaboration among learners and instructors

You represent and warrant that:

• You own or have the necessary rights to submit Your Content
• Your Content does not infringe third-party intellectual property, privacy, or other rights
• Your Content complies with these Terms and applicable laws
• Your Content does not contain illegal, harmful, or obscene material

We reserve the right to moderate, remove, or restrict User-Generated Content that violates our standards, including but not limited to hate speech, harassment, plagiarism, misinformation, or content that disrupts the learning community.

2.3 Feedback and Suggestions

Any suggestions, ideas, feedback, or recommendations you submit to us regarding the Services or improvements become our property without any compensation or attribution obligation to you. We may use such feedback for any purpose.

2.4 Trademarks

"Akademus," the Akademus logo, and other marks are trademarks of Akademus Education Consortium. You may not use these trademarks without our prior written permission.

3. Course Enrollment, Payments, and Refunds

3.1 Enrollment and Access

Akademus offers both free and paid educational content:

• Free content is available without payment
• Paid courses require successful enrollment via valid payment method
• Access begins upon enrollment confirmation and lasts for the specified period (e.g., lifetime access for some courses, subscription-based for others)

Upon successful enrollment, you will receive access to course materials, live sessions (where applicable), recordings, assignments, community forums, and related resources.

3.2 Payments and Processing

Payments are processed securely via third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe). We do not store full payment card details on our servers.

By enrolling in a paid course or subscription, you:

• Authorize us to charge your payment method for all applicable fees
• Agree that all payments are in the displayed currency (USD/ZAR as indicated)
• Accept that payments are generally non-refundable except as stated in Section 3.4
• Are responsible for any applicable taxes or fees imposed by your jurisdiction

Course fees are displayed at the time of enrollment. Prices are subject to change, but changes will not affect enrollments already completed.

3.3 Subscriptions (Where Applicable)

For subscription-based services:

• Subscriptions auto-renew at the end of each billing cycle unless canceled
• You can cancel anytime via account settings; access continues until the current billing period ends
• Price changes will be notified at least 30 days in advance
• No refunds for partial billing periods after cancellation

3.4 Refund Policy

7-Day Money-Back Guarantee: For paid courses, you may request a full refund within 7 days of purchase if you have completed less than 20% of the course content. To request a refund, contact support@akademus.io with your enrollment details and reason for the request.

Refunds are NOT available:

• After 7 days from the date of purchase
• If you have completed 20% or more of the course content
• For free trials that have been converted to paid subscriptions (after the trial period)
• For account violations or Terms breaches
• For certificates already issued

Refunds are processed within 7-10 business days to the original payment method. Certain promotional offers or discounted enrollments may have different refund terms, which will be clearly communicated at the time of enrollment.

3.5 Certificates and Completion

Certificates of completion are awarded upon meeting program requirements, which typically include completing at least 80% of course content and passing final assessments. Certificates are non-transferable and represent completion of Akademus training. They indicate preparation for industry certifications but do not guarantee passing third-party certification exams offered by vendors like AWS, Microsoft, Google, Oracle, CompTIA, or Linux Foundation.

4. User Conduct and Community Guidelines

As Team Humanity, we cultivate respect, curiosity, and collaboration. As a member of the Akademus community, you agree to conduct yourself with integrity and agree not to:

• Harass, bully, threaten, or discriminate against instructors, staff, or other learners
• Post illegal, harmful, obscene, or offensive content
• Impersonate another person, organization, or instructor, or spread misinformation
• Share your account credentials or course access with others
• Record, reproduce, or distribute course materials without permission
• Use the Services for any illegal, fraudulent, or harmful purpose
• Interfere with or disrupt the Services, servers, or networks (e.g., hacking, DDoS attacks, excessive automation)
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers, crawlers) to access our Services without permission
• Upload malicious code, viruses, or harmful content
• Engage in academic dishonesty, plagiarism, cheating, or exam fraud
• Use the platform for commercial solicitation or spam without our permission
• Violate intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or any applicable laws
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or other users' accounts
• Submit false information during enrollment or account creation

Violations of these conduct standards may result in content removal, warnings, suspension, or permanent termination of your account, forfeiture of fees paid, and legal action if necessary. We moderate forums and interactions to maintain a safe, respectful learning environment.

5. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

5.1 Service Provided "As Is"

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR COURSE OF PERFORMANCE.

We strive for accuracy and excellence but do not warrant that:

• The Services will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free
• Content is error-free, current, or complete
• The quality of courses, materials, or instruction will meet your expectations
• Any errors or defects will be corrected
• The Services will be compatible with all devices, browsers, or software
• Third-party content or links are reliable or accurate

5.2 No Guaranteed Educational Outcomes

While we strive for excellence in education and support your learning journey, we do not guarantee:

• Specific learning outcomes or skill acquisition
• Job placement, employment, or career advancement
• Success on third-party certification exams (AWS, Microsoft, Google, etc.)
• Salary increases or promotions
• Results from applying physics principles, drawing techniques, meditation practices, or other course content

Your success depends on many factors, including your effort, dedication, prior knowledge, learning style, and circumstances beyond our control.

5.3 Not Professional Advice

Our courses are educational and informational in nature. They are not substitutes for licensed professional advice in fields such as medicine, law, finance, engineering, or mental health. Always consult qualified, licensed professionals for such needs.

5.4 Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AKADEMUS AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, INSTRUCTORS, PARTNERS, AND LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, GOODWILL, OR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR R1,000 (ONE THOUSAND SOUTH AFRICAN RAND), WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

Exceptions: Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, or death/personal injury caused by our negligence, to the extent such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by law.

6. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Akademus Education Consortium, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, instructors, contractors, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

• Your use or misuse of the Services
• Your breach of these Terms or violation of our policies
• Your violation of any rights of another person or entity, including intellectual property rights or privacy rights
• Your Content or any content you submit, post, or transmit through the Services
• Your fraudulent, negligent, or wrongful conduct
• Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations

We reserve the right to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification by you, in which case you agree to cooperate with our defense of such claim.

7. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference and forms part of this agreement.

By using our Services, you consent to the collection, processing, and use of your data as described in the Privacy Policy, including data transfers to countries where our service providers operate (such as the United States and European Union), in accordance with applicable data protection laws including POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act) and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

8. Termination and Suspension

8.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by:

• Using the account deletion option in your account settings
• Contacting us at support@akademus.io

Termination does not entitle you to a refund except as provided in our refund policy (Section 3.4).

8.2 Termination or Suspension by Us

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account and access to the Services, with or without prior notice, for any of the following reasons:

• Violation of these Terms or our policies
• Fraudulent, abusive, harmful, or illegal activity
• Non-payment of fees or chargebacks
• Inactivity for an extended period (typically 2+ years)
• Conduct that damages our reputation or relationships with users or partners
• Any reason at our sole discretion (with notice except in urgent cases)

8.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination of your account:

• Your right to access and use the Services immediately ceases
• We may delete your account and associated data in accordance with our Privacy Policy
• You remain liable for any outstanding fees or obligations
• Provisions that by their nature should survive (including intellectual property rights, disclaimers, limitations of liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution) will continue to apply

9. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

9.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

You agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts located in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa for any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Services, except where arbitration is required as set forth below.

9.2 Informal Resolution

Before pursuing formal legal action, we strongly encourage you to contact us first to seek an informal resolution. Please send your concern to legal@akademus.io with a detailed description of the dispute.

We commit to working with you in good faith to resolve disputes amicably within 30 days of receiving your notice. This informal process is a prerequisite to arbitration or litigation.

9.3 Binding Arbitration

If informal resolution fails, either party may elect to resolve disputes through binding arbitration conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa under the rules of the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA), unless prohibited by applicable law.

Key arbitration terms:

• The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding on both parties
• Each party bears its own costs unless the arbitrator awards costs to the prevailing party
• Arbitration proceedings are confidential
• You waive the right to participate in class actions or class-wide arbitration
• Claims must be brought individually, not on behalf of a group or class

9.4 Small Claims and Injunctive Relief

Notwithstanding the arbitration requirement, either party may bring an individual action in small claims court if the claim qualifies, or seek injunctive or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction in Johannesburg to prevent actual or threatened infringement, misappropriation, or violation of intellectual property rights.

10. Third-Party Services and Links

Our Services may integrate with or link to third-party websites, services, platforms, or content, including but not limited to:

• Payment processors (e.g., Stripe) for secure transaction processing
• Video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom) for live sessions
• Social media platforms (LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Facebook) for community engagement
• Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics) for service improvement
• Certification bodies and vendor platforms (AWS, Microsoft, Google, Oracle, CompTIA, Linux Foundation)
• Cloud infrastructure and database services (AWS Amplify, Supabase)

These third parties have their own terms of service and privacy policies, which govern your use of their services. We are not responsible for the content, practices, availability, security, or services of third parties. Your use of third-party services is at your own risk, and you should review their terms and policies before engaging with them.

11. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations under these Terms due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, earthquakes, floods, fires, war, terrorism, riots, civil unrest, strikes, labor disputes, pandemics, epidemics, government actions or restrictions, internet service provider failures, cyberattacks, power outages, or other acts of God (collectively, "Force Majeure Events"). Our obligations will be suspended during the period such Force Majeure Event continues, and we will have an extension of time to perform equal to the duration of the event.

12. General Provisions

12.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any program-specific terms or enrollment agreements, constitute the entire agreement between you and Akademus Education Consortium regarding the Services and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, representations, or communications, whether oral or written.

12.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable while preserving its intent.

12.3 Waiver and Non-Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision or any other right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Akademus.

12.4 Assignment

You may not assign, transfer, or delegate these Terms or your account to any third party without our prior written consent. We may assign or transfer these Terms and any rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate, successor entity, or third party in connection with a merger, acquisition, corporate reorganization, or sale of assets, with notice provided to you.

12.5 No Agency or Partnership

Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, employment, agency, or franchise relationship between you and Akademus. You have no authority to bind Akademus or make commitments on our behalf.

12.6 Notices

We may provide notices to you via email to your registered email address or by posting notices on our website. Notices sent by email will be deemed received within 24 hours of sending. You may send legal notices to us at legal@akademus.io or our physical address listed in the Contact section.

13. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify, update, or revise these Terms at any time to reflect changes in our Services, legal requirements, or business practices. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated Terms on this page with a new "Effective Date"
• Sending an email notification to your registered email address
• Displaying a prominent notice or banner on our website

Your continued use of the Services after the effective date of changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using the Services and may close your account as described in Section 8.1.

We encourage you to review these Terms periodically to stay informed about your rights and obligations. The "Effective Date" at the top of this page indicates when the Terms were last updated.