On the afternoon of July 7, 2023, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi, held a presentation on the results achieved in drafting the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of the Ethics Committee in Research at VNU-USSH after working with experts from Indiana University (USA).
Representing the university were Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector of the university, Dr. Trinh Van Dinh - Head of the Scientific Research Management Department, along with leaders from the Training Department, the Personnel Department, the Cooperation & Development Department, the Faculty of Anthropology, the Faculty of Psychology, and the Faculty of Sociology.
Representing Indiana University were Dr. Richard Hopper - Director of the PHER project, Dr. John Baumann - Vice President for Research Compliance, Office of Research Compliance, Indiana University, and Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong - PHER Project Manager.
VNU-USSH continuously innovates higher education governance according to world standards and promotes international publications.Speaking at the meeting, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi, stated that with its mission to be a leader in training high-quality, highly skilled human resources; researching, creating, and disseminating knowledge in social sciences and humanities, the University always values cooperation with international educational and research organizations and reputable scientists. In particular, cooperation with the PHER project (*) and Indiana University (USA) (**) is very important in learning about modern educational management experience, improving the quality of higher education, and accrediting training programs.
Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, stated: The school always values cooperation with international educational and research organizations and reputable scientists, including collaboration with the PHER project and Indiana University (USA).
Dr. Richard Hopper - Director of the PHER project - pledged that the project will contribute to promoting international publications by the VNU-USSH scientific community.
Dr. Richard Hopper, Director of the PHER project, welcomed the dedication of the Board of Directors of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-USSH, and the faculty and staff of VNU-USSH in actively innovating university governance according to international standards. The PHER project representative also committed to collaborating with VNU-USSH in promoting international publications, thereby spreading the scientific values of the university's social sciences and humanities research more widely within the international community.
Dr. Richard Hopper emphasized that the achievements of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi, will be a valuable legacy for future generations of scientists, students, and trainees to access, inherit, and develop.
Pioneering the development of a research ethics committee model in Vietnam.During the meeting, representatives from Indiana University highly appreciated the fact that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi, is one of the pioneering universities in Vietnam in establishing an Ethics Committee for Research.
With this innovative model, scientists from VNU-USSH have devoted considerable effort to researching and developing the Draft Regulations on the Organization and Operation of the Research Ethics Committee. With the cooperation, support, and experience sharing from experts at Indiana University, after numerous meetings and exchanges between the two sides, the Draft was discussed and agreed upon with many important contents.
Dr. John Baumann, Vice President for Research Compliance, Office of Research Compliance, Indiana University, highly praised the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi, as one of the pioneering universities in Vietnam to establish a Research Ethics Committee.
Accordingly, the Ethics Committee is responsible for independently evaluating the ethical aspects of research involving human subjects. The Ethics Committee consists of 9 members appointed by the Rector, including the Chairman, 7 members (one of whom is from outside Hanoi National University), and the Secretary.
The Ethics Committee is responsible for organizing the review and evaluation of ethical aspects in studies involving human subjects; approving or rejecting studies, and proposing adjustments (if necessary); monitoring compliance with ethical guidelines in studies approved by the Ethics Committee; and maintaining and managing records of the ethical aspects of studies approved by the Ethics Committee.
Draft Procedure for Reviewing and Evaluating Research by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi
The scope of application, as defined in the draft Regulations on the Organization and Operation of the Ethics Committee in Research, includes faculty members, lecturers, and students conducting research on human subjects under the management of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU Hanoi; and individuals and organizations outside the University of Social Sciences and Humanities who request and are approved by the Ethics Committee for evaluation.
With such functions and responsibilities, the Ethics Committee is a prestigious organization that ensures the scientific and ethical values of the research works it evaluates and approves before the international scientific community.
According to Dr. Trinh Van Dinh, Head of the Scientific Research Management Department at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, the draft ensures consistency and coherence in the evaluation criteria of the ethics committees.
During the meeting, lecturers and staff from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, Hanoi, had extensive discussions with experts from the PHER project regarding the provisions of the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of the Ethics Committee in Research at VNU-USSH. The PHER experts also shared their experiences to help VNU-USSH scientists prepare thoroughly to meet the evaluation criteria of the Ethics Committee in Research.
It is expected that, after the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of the Ethics Committee in Research at VNU-USSH are issued, representatives of the PHER project will organize a training program for members of the Committee and lecturers and staff of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi.
As a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research university with a team of leading experts, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU-USSH) has developed several new and pioneering training programs and majors, playing a core role in training and research in the country's basic sciences, reaching regional and international standards. VNU-USSH scientists have conducted many important studies in the social sciences and humanities, with valuable scientific publications both domestically and internationally. Therefore, the establishment of a Research Ethics Committee and cooperation with the PHER project will contribute to leveraging the university's strengths, further promoting international research capacity and the prestige of VNU-USSH scientists in the future.
Let's take a look back at some images from the recent activities of experts from Indiana University, USA, at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi:
At the working session on the afternoon of July 7, 2023, the Draft Regulations on the Organization and Operation of the Ethics Committee in Research at VNU-USSH were discussed and agreed upon based on advice from experts from Indiana University (USA) and the PHER project.
During the two working days of July 6-7, 2023, many consultative opinions from international experts were discussed at the working session with the Board of Directors and faculty members of VNU-USSH.
June 2023: During a meeting with representatives from Indiana University, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities exchanged ideas and received advice from international experts on establishing an Ethics Committee for Research within the university, a model that is still relatively new in Vietnam.
March 2023: Representatives from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the PHER Project discussed various cooperation issues in enhancing the research capacity and international publication of the university's faculty.
* PHER ProjectThis project, part of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Higher Education Development Support Program, is a five-year initiative from 2022 to 2026 aimed at enhancing the capacity of three key Vietnamese higher education institutions (Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City; and Da Nang University) to develop sustainably and more autonomously in the areas of governance, training, research, and business connectivity, meeting the human resource needs for Vietnam's industrialization, modernization, and international integration. The project is funded by USAID through a non-refundable technical assistance grant and implemented by Indiana University, USA.
*Indiana University (IU)IU is a public university with in-depth research in social sciences and other fields, and is a world leader in medicine and technology education. IU seeks dynamic and innovative collaborations with local and state organizations in the areas of economic, social, and cultural development, and aims to cultivate leadership skills in addressing 21st-century challenges with intelligent and creative solutions.
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Establishing an Ethics Committee for Research at VNU-USSH: Consultation from experts at Indiana University.
USSH is collaborating with the PHER Project to enhance the research and innovation capabilities of its faculty.
