Zetech University, in collaboration with KNATCOM for UNESCO and NACOSTI, held a four-day workshop on Research Ethics and Bioethics Normative Instruments. The workshop brought together participants to explore key principles, frameworks, and emerging ethical considerations in research and scientific practice.
The first day covered the National Bioethics Committees framework, the basic principles of research ethics, and various research study designs. The second day focused on informed consent, the protection of vulnerable groups, institutional ethics review processes, and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of animals in research.
On the third day, participants explored community engagement, emerging ethical issues in science, the composition, functions, and support of the Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee (ISERC), as well as research integrity.
The final day covered the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, post-approval monitoring, and ISERC accreditation. The workshop concluded with participants and facilitators Dr. H. Ozwara, Dr. O. Nyakundi, and Prof. G. Nguka drafting the university's ISERC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Terms of Reference (ToR).
