Africa University Research, Ethics Committee (AUREC)
About Us
The Africa University Research Ethics Committee (AUREC) is registered and accredited by the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe. It is a formally constituted body established and mandated to ensure compliance and the ethical integrity of all research involving humans, conducted by faculty and students and external researchers attached to Africa University.
Vision
To be the benchmark Research Ethics Committee in Manicaland and beyond.
Mission
To protect research subjects by providing ethical and scientific research oversight to the research community in Manicaland and beyond.
Values
- Independence
- Fairness
- Transparency
- Consistency
- Credibility
| Name | Qualifications | Area of Interest | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Fadzai Mukora Mutsevekwa | MBChB(University of Zimbabwe), MPH (Africa University) | Medical/ Research Methods | AUREC Chairperson, Director Clinical Research Centre |
| Dr Stanislous Bigirimana | PhD (Business Management), MBA (Ruprecht/Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany), MA Philosophy, BA Philosophy (University of Zimbabwe) | Management information Systems/ Research | Africa University, CBPLG |
| Mr Pemberai Zambezi | Master of Policy Studies (SARIPS), MSc Development Studies (Fort Hare), BA Economic History, Grad CE (University of Zimbabwe) | Operations Research/ NGOs (NGO representative) | Family Aids Caring Trust (FACT-Harare) |
| Mr Jephias Mundondo | MSc Development Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Development Management (Open University, UK), Certificate in Low Impact Tourism Development (University of Guelph, Canada) | Community Representative/ Socio-behavioural scientist | Community member, Life coach. |
| Mr Christopher Munguma | Masters in Intellectual Property (jointly awarded by Africa University Zimbabwe, WIPO and ARIPO). Bachelor of Laws Honours (LLB), (University of Zimbabwe) | Law and Intellectual property | Lecturer CBPLG |
| Dr Munyaradzi Mukuzunga | Masters in Public Health (Africa University), MBChB (University of Zimbabwe) | Medical and Public Health | Public health physician and part time lecturer – CHANS |
| Ms Elizabeth Chadambuka | Masters in Public Health, , Bachelor of Adult Education (University of Zimbabwe), RGN | Nursing and Public health | |
| Mrs Eunice Bere | Master in Peace and Governance (Africa University), Graduate Certificate in Education, Bachelor of Arts in History (University of Zimbabwe) | Peace and governance | Lecturer - CBPLG |
| Dr Kudzai Mukumbi | Doctor of Philosophy in Retailing, Master of Science in Agricultural Economics (Michigan State University USA), Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Natural Resources (Africa University) | Agribusiness | Lecturer - CHANS |
| Dr Mazvita Machinga | PhD Counseling and Psychotherapy, Master of Theological Studies (Claremont Lincoln University), BSc Counselling (Zimbabwe Open University), BA with Education (Africa University) | Socio-behavioural/ Education/ Women's groups | Chair - Pastoral care and Counselling |
| Dr Richard Makoni | Doctor of Education in Philosophy of Education (University of South Africa), Master of Educational Philosophy, Graduate Certificate in Education, Bachelor of Arts in History and Economic History, (University of Zimbabwe) | Education | Lecturer - CSSTHE |
| Mr Tuarira Mtaita | BSc Agriculture (Sokoine University of Agriculture) MSc in Tropical and Sub Tropical Horticulture and Crop Science (University of London) | Crop Science and Horticulture | Lecturer - CHANS |
| Dr Tendai Nhenga | Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, (PhD) in Public Law, Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Human Rights Law (University of Cape Town), Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons), Bachelor of Arts in Law (BA Law(National University of Lesotho) | Public Law/Child Rights | Lecturer - CSSTHE |
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A research ethics committee (REC) is a formally constituted body established by an institution to review the ethical and scientific merits of research that involves human participants. RECs are also known as Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), Ethics Review Boards (ERBs) or Ethics Review Committees (ERCs) in different parts of the world. Some RECs also cover research involving animals.
AUREC exists to ensure that all research conducted on human beings (and animals) under the auspices of Africa University meets the highest ethical and scientific standards. This is in order to safeguard the safety, rights, dignity and well-being of humans (and animals) that may participate in research. The main aim is to protect human participants from harm during their participation in research. Harm is not only physical, but can also be social, psychological, emotional, financial, etc. Therefore RECs do not only review biomedical research projects, but any research where data is collected from human participants. This includes social science, behavioural and other research.
AUREC will achieve its mandate by providing independent and timely review of the ethics and science of proposed research studies at AU. In doing this, AUREC may approve research protocols, suggest modifications in research proposals or if absolutely necessary, reject some research proposals. AUREC will also monitor on-going, previously approved research studies to ensure that ethical standards are maintained throughout the course of the study. AUREC will review research proposed or conducted by faculty, staff and students at AU, or persons from outside institutions who wish to carry out research at or with AU. AUREC will also act as a resource on matters of research ethics, providing guidance, information and/or training to faculty, staff, students and other relevant stakeholders.
The AUREC is answerable to the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (MRCZ) which functions as the national research ethics committee. Within Africa University, AUREC’s operational and administrative requirements are arranged through the university’s Office of Research and Outreach Programmes.
RECs give an institution such as AU and its affiliates the assurance and confidence that all research that is conducted complies with local and international ethical standards and guidelines. RECs also ensure that the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of research participants are protected. Many sponsors are reluctant to fund research at an institution where there is no REC to give assurance of compliance with set norms and standards. As a result, many publishers are now considering only research that has been approved by RECs as a condition for accepting manuscripts for publication.
Currently, the AUREC is housed in the Department of Health Sciences Building.
Phone : +263 20 60026 or +263 20 60075 office extension is 1156.
Email : aurec@africau.edu
The establishment of this body at AU was overseen by a University wide Project Implementation Committee (PIC). AUREC is currently made of 9 members, the majority of whom are from Africa University, and some are from outside the institution. The members vary in age, gender and are from various professional and disciplines to promote diversity. These members, together with the AUREC secretariat have had extensive training in research ethics, and continue to undergo capacity building to ensure quality service delivery.
Contact Us
Currently, the AUREC is housed in the Department of Health Sciences Building.
Phone : +263 20 60026 or +263 20 60075 office extension is 1156.
Email : aurec@africau.edu