Mbarara University of Science and Technology through the MUST Research Ethics Committee (REC) hosted the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) to facilitated at a training in Good Research Regulatory Practice Course targeting research regulators. The three day course took place from July 17, 2023 to July 19, 2023 at the Mbarara University Inn was attended by the MUST Research Ethics Committee members and several other stakeholders including;
- study monitor/coordinators, research organisation (Global Health Collaborative, MUREEP, LSPP, Epicentre Uganda)
- Faculty Research Committee members,
- Mbarara University Research Ethics Education Programme Fellows
- Representatives of Faculties and Institutes and,
- The Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT).
The objective of the course is to equip trainees with knowledge and skills to become good responsible research regulators who can easily identify and manage research integrity flaws. Additionally, the training equipped participants with the capacity to support research teams to ensure responsible conduct of research. The expected outcome is that the trainees will improve their knowledge and appreciation of the ethical, professional and key legal regimes relevant to the conduct and oversight of research.
According to Assoc. Prof. Paul Alele the Chair MUST-REC, the training was timely in relation to giving insight to researchers on research regulation. He added that the training was going to improve the competence of faculty, MUST-REC members and stakeholders in charge of research in the MUST community to understand what goes on during regulatory of research and why it is necessary.
The topics of interest included Emerging ethical issues in research, Regulatory Oversight of Research in Uganda, Complex study designs and methods: Key considerations for the REC and other research regulators, Informed consent, privacy and confidentiality in genetics and genomics research, Research ethics perspectives from behavioural and social science research, Community engagement in research, Ethical Issues in collaborative research, Legal and Human Rights Issues in Research, Review of data sharing agreements and material transfer agreements, Risk benefit assessment in Research, A good Ethical Review.
The team of facilitators and moderator from Uganda National Council for Science and Technology comprised of;
Assoc. Prof. Noah Kiwanuka
Assoc. Prof. Joseph Ochieng
Prof. Fredrick Nakagwala
Dr. Adrian Jjuuko
Ms. Winfred Nazziwa
Ms. Irene Seryazi
One of the MUST REC members, Dr. Prudence Kemigisha, facilitated the session on ethics perspectives from behavioural and social science research.