The University of Mindanao (UM) upholds research excellence and integrity as core components of its mission to advance knowledge and innovation. While the University of Mindanao Ethics Review Council (UMERC) currently oversees ethical compliance of faculty and graduate-level research, there has been an increasing volume of undergraduate studies across various colleges that involve human participants, data-privacy sensitive materials, or potential ethical implications.
To ensure that undergraduate research aligns with ethical standards, there is a need to institutionalize a dedicated Undergraduate Research Ethics Council (UM-UREC). This body will cater specifically to undergraduate researchers, providing structured review mechanisms, capacity-building, and ethical guidance throughout the research process.
The UM-UREC will foster a culture of ethical mindfulness among undergraduate students - an important foundation in nurturing responsible, reflective, and socially responsive researchers. Moreover, the establishment of this council supports the university`s compliance with international and national research ethics frameworks such as the Philippine National Ethical Guidelines for Health and Social Science Research (2017), the Data Privacy Act of 2012, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Orders related to research ethics and quality assurance.
VISION. A community of ethically grounded undergraduate researchers contributing to socially responsible, innovative, and integrity-driven scholarship in pursuit of sustainable societal transformation.
MISSION. To uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct among undergraduate researchers of the University of Mindanao by providing guidance, review, and oversight on research practices that safeguard human dignity, integrity, and social responsibility.
VALUES. The UM-UREC shall be guided by the following values: Integrity. Upholding honesty and transparency in all research activities.
Respect for Persons.
- Ensuring informed consent, privacy, and protection of participants` rights.
- Beneficience. Promoting the welfare of research participants and minimizing potential harm.
- Justice. Ensuring fairness in participant selection and equitable distribution of research benefit.
- Accountability. Holding researchers responsible for adherence to ethical standards.
- Confidentiality. Protecting the identity and data of research participants.
- Cultural Sensitivity. Recognizing and respecting local and indigenous values, especially in ethnographic and community-based research.
- Mentorship and Education. Empowering students through ethical literacy and guided supervision.
OBJECTIVES. The operation of the University of Mindanao - Undergraduate Research Ethics Council (UM-UREC) shall pursue the following objectives:
- To review and evaluate undergraduate research proposals involving human participants, data privacy issues, or ethical risks.
- To develop and enforce guidelines and procedures for ethical research at the undergraduate level.
- To promote ethical awareness and literacy among undergraduate students and faculty advisers.
- To ensure compliance with national and institutional ethical standards.
- To support the university`s commitment to responsible and sustainable research practices.
