Research Ethics Training and Ethics Committee Surveys conducted at University of Rwanda and Rwanda National Research Ethics Committee in Kigali - Welcome to Pan-African Bioethics Initiative

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen research ethics review capacity across Africa, the Pan-African Bioethics Initiative (PABIN), in collaboration with the Forum for Ethical Review Committees in Asia and the Western Pacific (FERCAP), conducted a training and survey workshops as part of the Strategic Initiative for Developing Capacity in Ethical Review (SIDCER), in Kigali, Rwanda from Oct. 27 to Nov. 4, 2025.

The SIDCER-PABIN team composed of AHRI researchers (Dr. Liya Wassie, Dr. Hailemichael Getachew, Raffaele Joseph, and Mekdelawit Alemayehu) and members of SIDCER-FERCAP (Prof. Juntra Karbwang, Dr. Supatra Porasuphatana, and Dr Jarruphong Noitumyae facilitated the program with a mission to build the capacity of Research Ethics Committees {RECs} in Africa at national and institutional levels. Ethics committee members from various academic and research institutions and interested researchers and faculties attended the workshop. The workshop included training sessions on updates on international research ethics guidelines and law, informed consent, risk-benefit assessment, the role of laypersons in ethics committees, and writing of standard operating procedures (SOPs). The workshop emphasized the importance of quality ethics review system to ensure research participant protection, and the role SIDCER recognition program in capacitating the rigor and quality of research ethics committees.

This SIDCER-PABIN-SIDCER FERCAP joint survey was conducted to strengthen the ethics review capacity of the University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences IRB and the Rwanda National Research Ethics Committee (RNEC). The joint survey was also accompanied by site visits of research ethics committees’, in-depth interview of selected ethics committee members and observation of live convened ethics committee meetings at both RECs. These visits were concluded with extensive debriefing and feedbacks of all REC members and institution leaders. At the end of the workshop and training the trainees and surveyors have received certificates for their participation in the workshop.

The survey team was warmly hosted by Prof. Abraham Hailemeskel, the Principal of University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Prof. Stefan Jansen, Chairperson of the University of Rwanda College of Medicine and Health Sciences IRB and their entire team.

These REC surveys and trainings represent a significant milestone to PABIN revitalization efforts. This effort not only strengthens high-quality and harmonized ethical review processes among research ethics committees, but also promotes partnerships and networks among ethics committees in Africa. The PABIN-SIDCER also promotes capacity strengthening of ethics committees on emerging ethical challenges in research, including public health emergencies, artificial intelligence, genomic and big data research in Africa. The current PABIN-SIDCER is one of the third survey activities since it’s revitalization in 2023. The PABIN-SIDCER is a WHO/TDR initiative that aims to strengthen review capacity of ethics committees in Africa.

University of Rwanda IRB and surveyors