As part of efforts to build a mass of responsible researchers across universities in Nigeria, the Centre for Bioethics and Research, Nigeria has trained the research community at Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State on Responsible Conduct of Research.
In a statement sent to PUNCH, the onsite training was a key component of the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Scaling Up Research Ethics and Research Integrity Project.
The SURER Project is a multi-institutional collaboration aiming to develop training programs for Responsible Conduct of Research, Research and Scientific Integrity, Conflicts of Interest, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and a Safe Working and Sexual Harassment-Free Environment for researchers in Nigeria.
The training which was held on July 29th and 30th, 2024 at the Senate Chamber of the university had several sessions to define and identify research misconducts and provide guidance to researchers on how to avoid or appropriately address them.
The Vice-Chancellor of BUT, Prof Jeremiah Ojediran, expressed his delight at the initiative and emphasised the positive impact the training would have on the quality of research at the university.
He further expressed his commitment to establishing a Research Integrity Unit in the university as part of the SURER project.
46 participants from various biomedical and non-biomedical programs at Bells University were trained.
In May, the CBR organised the Conduct of Research training for faculty members and the research unit at KolaDaisi University, Ibadan, Oyo State under the SURER Project.
The participants, drawn from departments in the Biomedical sciences, Biological Sciences, Humanities and Law of KDU, were trained by bioethicists and experts in RCR issues, Prof Adebayo Adejumo, Prof Temidayo Ogundiran and Prof. Christopher Agulanna, following the recommendation of the National Institutes of Health of the United States.
The management of KDU, represented by the Director of Research and Innovation, Odekunle, noted that the university was on the path of rebranding to harness the potential of cutting-edge research.
The SURER Program Coordinator, Mr Adesola Adeyemo, stated that the CBR team was ready to collaborate with the university to build a strong research network.
He further urged other universities in the country to take advantage of the RCR training and get their researchers trained on how to conduct research responsibly.