MUBAS Research Ethics and NCST during an Audit meeting
On 11 June 2026, the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) Research Ethics Committee (MUBASREC) hosted an audit visit from the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST). During the engagement, Symon Nyondo highlighted the committee’s recent achievements, including the orientation of its multidisciplinary 18‑member committee and key regulatory milestones in the first quarter of 2026. These milestones include the operationalization of Departmental Research Ethics Committees (DRECs) to oversee undergraduate reviews and the revision of the postgraduate handbook, making ethical clearance a mandatory requirement for graduation.
MUBASREC has consistently upheld its monthly full board meeting schedule, reviewing 32 protocols with a 100% success rate within the 30‑day target window, averaging a 26‑day turnaround. The secretariat also strengthened infrastructure for research oversight by conducting site‑monitoring visits for collaborative international water studies and sensitive institutional projects. These visits reinforced compliance safeguards such as Material Transfer Agreements and structured psychological referral pathways, ensuring the highest standards of research integrity.
Through these efforts, MUBASREC continues to advance infrastructure development and management in research governance, contributing to Malawi’s broader vision of sustainable, ethical, and globally competitive scholarship.