Attending the meeting were Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Thanh Truong - Vice Rector of the University, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Thanh Nam - Office of the President of the University Council, Head of Training Department, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Anh - Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, Dr. John Baumann - Vice President in charge of Research Compliance, Office of Research Compliance, Indiana University and Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai Phuong - Deputy Director of the PHER Project, along with representatives of leaders of units and lecturers of the University.
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Dao Thanh Truong - Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, thanked Dr. Johan Bauman and the PHER project for accompanying VNU-USSH throughout the process of building the Research Ethics Council. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities has had many cooperative projects with the PHER project and has achieved many achievements in building a Research Support Center model with the function of supporting the implementation of research projects, establishing a unit equivalent to the Ethics Council, training to improve the capacity of researchers, etc.
With the desire to internationally standardize scientific research achievements, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has made efforts to complete and promulgate the framework document on the organization and operation of the Research Ethics Council as well as documents and evaluation forms. The cooperation between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the PHER project and Indiana University (USA) will promote the improvement of the quality of higher education and the accreditation of international standard training programs.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai Phuong, Deputy Director of the PHER Project, highly appreciated the university's efforts in pioneering the establishment of a research ethics council. Ethics in human research in Vietnam is still a new aspect for universities and research institutions. Therefore, the PHER project is very pleased to accompany the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in modernizing the curriculum, innovative research and building a research ethics council.
Dr. John Baumann expects the Research Council of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to be the first council of the project to pass the review of the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
It is known that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has issued the Regulations on the organization and operation of the Research Ethics Council. The Ethics Council has the function of independently and accurately reviewing the ethical aspects of research on human subjects after the topic has been approved by specialized departments or funding agencies and before starting the research.
The subjects targeted in the Organization & Operation Regulations are cadres, lecturers, and students conducting research with human subjects managed by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU; individuals and organizations outside the University of Social Sciences and Humanities who have requests and are approved by the Ethics Council for evaluation.
At the meeting, staff/lecturers of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities discussed with experts from the PHER project to complete the review and evaluation process of the VNU-USSH Research Ethics Council. Accordingly, experts from both sides discussed cases exempted from review in research, standardization of table templates and evaluation process.
It is expected that on March 19, 2024, Dr. Johan Bauman will have an intensive training session at Hanoi National University (Hoa Lac campus) on the documents and forms as well as details on the positions and tasks of each member of the ethics council, the process and examples of the body in review and evaluation. At the same time, analyze the concepts, criteria for operation and definitions in the Regulations on organization and operation of the Ethics Council.
The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi has always been steadfast in its pioneering orientation, playing a core role in training and researching basic sciences of the country to reach regional and international levels, in parallel with developing a number of new training majors and specialties. The school has many support policies, investing in lecturers and attracting high-quality human resources, developing a team of scientists in a sustainable manner. Cooperation with the PHER project as well as establishing a Research Ethics Council will develop the inherent strengths of the school, spreading the scientific research values of VNU-USSH to the international arena.
*PHER Projectwithin the framework of the Higher Education Development Assistance Program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is a 5-year initiative from 2022 to 2026 to enhance the capacity of 3 key higher education institutions in Vietnam (Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang University) to develop more sustainably and autonomously in the fields of administration, training, research and connection with businesses, meeting the demand for human resources to serve the cause of industrialization, modernization and international integration of Vietnam. The project is funded by USAID in the form of non-refundable technical assistance and assigned to Indiana University, USA as the implementing unit.
Indiana University (IU)is a public university, deeply engaged in research in the social and scientific fields, and is a leading university in the world in medical and technological education. IU seeks dynamic and creative collaboration with local and state organizations in the fields of economic, social, and cultural development and to train leaders in solving 21st century problems with intelligent, creative solutions.
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Research Ethics Council at VNU-USSH: Agreeing on the Draft Regulations on Organization and Operation based on consultation from Indiana University (USA)
Establishment of VNU-USSH Research Ethics Council: Consulting opinions from experts from Indiana University
USSH cooperates with PHER Project to enhance faculty research and innovation capacity
