Biomedical Research in Developing Countries - UNICRI

objectives of SIDCER are to foster competent, independent, in-country decisionmaking
for the promotion of human research and to monitor the quality of ethical
review globally. The strength of the SIDCER lies in its partnership model that fosters
a grassroots (bottoms-up) approach placing primary responsibility and decisionmaking
authority in the hands of the Fora that operate at the local, national, and
regional levels. The dedication and commitment of the regional Fora is the primary
factor driving the project. The emphasis on valuing local knowledge and cultural
understanding contributes critically to the SIDCER’s evolution and success.
http://www.sidcer.org
Training for Scholarship in Research Ethics University
Malawi College of Medicine - Michigan State University
The graduate-level training program is jointly developed by the College of Medicine
of the University of Malawi and the Michigan State University. This project aims to
assure a proper training to people involved in research coming from Malawi and
other African countries. The main objectives of this training programme are: to
develop an indigenous community of experts in research ethics who can refer ethical
issues to African setting; to attract African researchers towards an academic career
on bioethics; to encourage a mutual dialogue between Africa and the USA on ethical
issues which can become the basis for future collaborations.
This project aims to support the development of capacity in research ethics
scholarship with the improvement of sustainable curricula in ethics for African
universities, in order to allow talented students to consider academic career in
bioethics; and the promotion of the publications of African students works, who
will study research ethics in the African continent.
Four trainees are recruited among professionals working in universities or in
institutional or governmental positions, having at least a medical degree or a Master
degree or its equivalent. They must also seek support from their home institution.
Selected participants are hosted at Michigan State University and take advancedlevel
courses in the area of research, assisted by a MSU mentor who assists in
developing a feasible research project on African issues related to research. Once back
in Malawi, the trainees continue to implement the project assisted by the Malawi
University mentor. At the end, the trainee will be assisted both by the MSU mentor
and the Malawi one in writing a final document on his research project. Trainees
will be required to develop a course related to issues in research ethics, in
collaboration with the two mentors.
Finally a conference is held in order to show the research results of the trainees.
https://www.medcol.mw/bioethics/index.html
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