Page 189 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

GOVERNANCE

(REC), Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) Health safety and environmental
and the Animal Research Ethics Committee (ECRA). The SAMRC has a Health, Safety, and Environmental
The SAMRC’s research ethics policy requires that all (HSE) Management System to monitor HSE risks,
research involving human participants and animals establish clear strategies to achieve HSE goals and
must be submitted for ethics review and approval by formalise statutory and non-statutory structures
HREC and ECRA respectively. In addition, the SAMRC with defined roles and responsibilities to pursue
expects researchers involved in animal research to HSE excellence. The effects of these initiatives
be proactive in pursuing principles of replacement, at the SAMRC are profound and multifaceted.
reduction, refinement, and responsibilities, wherever Firstly, there's the imperative of legal compliance,
possible or practical. HREC and ECRA are required ensuring adherence to relevant regulations and
to conduct active monitoring of the approved standards. Secondly, prioritising HSE safeguards
protocols. employee protection, fostering a safe and healthy
work environment. Thirdly, there's a concern for
The strategy and objective of Research Integrity reputational risks; any lapses in HSE practices could
Office (RIO) are oriented towards prevention and tarnish SAMRC's reputation and erode public trust.
education, and not reactive and punitive approach. Lastly, SAMRC recognises its social responsibility
Among the preventative and education mechanisms to safeguard the health and well-being of the
that the SAMRC employs to promote responsible community it serves, reflecting its commitment to
conduct of research is ethics training. The main broader societal welfare.
aims of this training are to influence the virtuous Company/Board Secretary
character of individuals and to get researchers to
collectively commit to conducting research within The SAMRC’s Board Secretary plays a crucial role
the lens of research integrity and ethical standards. in overseeing various aspects of board operations.
In line with the SAMRC value of citizenship, this This includes facilitating both Board and Board
past financial year the SAMRC shared knowledge Committee meetings, as well as orchestrating the
from its accredited training programme in applied induction process for new Board members. He
is responsible for managing processes related to
ethics with its own staff and external institutions, the Board Plan, agenda, meeting documentation,
including University of Venda, Northwest University and logistics, ensuring smooth proceedings and
and Durban University of Technology. operations of the Board. Additionally, he offers
guidance during meetings and ensures adherence
As a public entity and an institution that subscribes
to openness and objectivity, the SAMRC affords to proper decision-making protocols, meticulously
documenting outcomes. Moreover, he prepares
the public an opportunity to report any alleged action lists and accurate Board and Board Committee
research misconduct and/or breaches of research meeting minutes. Acting as a formal conduit of
norms and standards. As such, the SAMRC invites all communication, the Board Secretary liaises between
stakeholders who have knowledge of the occurrence the Board and management, as well as with the
of a breach of research norms and standards or Executive Authority, particularly on administrative
research misconduct to exercise their moral duties matters. Throughout his duties, the Board Secretary
and ethics of responsibility to promptly report any remains committed to acting in the best interests of
reasonable suspicions. the SAMRC.

SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24 187