University Research Ethics Committee

The University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) has been formed in line with the ethical principles and established international guidelines considering the national and local values, culture, religion and existing laws and regulations of Negara Brunei Darussalam.
 

POLICY

The role of the committee is to ensure the broadest possible coverage of protection for potential research participants and contribute to the highest attainable quality in the science and ethics of research. All research involving human subjects in any field must seek for ethical approval from the committee.

Using animals in research also needs ethical approval from the committee. A number of international organisations provide publications and detailed information about the care and use of animals. The committee adopts the well-known 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) principles in reviewing animal research proposals.

Generally, the committee will help and guide researchers in order to achieve high ethical standards in designing and conducting research involving human participants or animals.

It is the sole responsibility of researchers to adhere to the proposal approved by the committee when they conduct the study. For any changes or deviations from the approved proposal, researchers are responsible to get approval from the committee.

The committee is giving approval or clearance in the aspects of human or animal research ethics only. Obtaining any other approvals (e.g. approval or permission by authorities or administration where the study will take place) is the sole responsibility of researchers.

The committee will ensure to be independent, multi-disciplinary, multi-sectorial, and pluralistic in nature. It will also demonstrate high competency and efficiency in its work.

GUIDELINES

The application form with detailed subheadings give a good guidance to applicants. The committee also provides guidelines for the procedure, a sample of written consent form, and guidelines for Participant Information Sheet. Staff and students may obtain these documents from intranet.