The University of Zululand (UNIZULU), through its Senate, has established two distinct ethics committees in accordance with the National Department of Health (NDoH) 2024 guidelines: the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and the Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC). These committees are responsible for reviewing, approving, and monitoring research proposals, including those for students, staff (for non-degree purposes, such as community-engaged research), and external researchers intending to conduct research at UNIZULU.

Guiding Principles

The committees operate under approved policies, standard operating procedures, and terms of reference, all endorsed by relevant university structures. Their primary objective is to protect the dignity, rights, safety, and well-being of all research participants, whether human or animal.

Ethics Review Process

The UNIZULU Research Ethics Committees (RECs) conduct independent, comprehensive, and ongoing ethics reviews of all research projects undertaken by UNIZULU staff, registered students, and affiliates. A detailed risk assessment form is utilized to categorize research projects into four risk levels: negligible, low, medium, and high.

Reviews that fall under nigligible & low risk will be expedited and while all other falling from medium to high will get a full review process from both RECs.

Application for Research Ethics Review  – should only be one process. This should include , all application forms (new hdc cover sheet,  ethics application form, risk assessment form) clearly named and attached. With the following introduction :

Application Process for Ethics Approval

Researchers seeking ethics approval from the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) to conduct research or collect data must follow these steps by applying between HREC & AREC :

HREC Application

1. Required Documents:
   • Research proposal/protocol
   • All Research Instruments
   • Risk Assessment form
   • Completed HREC application form
   • Informed consent (parent, children and participant) this must also include translated ones
   • Monitoring/Recertification/Renewal Form
   • Adverse Event Reporting Form
   • Active monitoring form

Read more on the HREC policy, SOPs and TORs (add them all and list them for clarity)

AREC Application:

• Required documents:
  • Research proposal/protocol
  • Research Instruments (where required)
  • AREC application form
  • Monitoring/Recertification/Renewal Form
  • Adverse Event Reporting Form
  • Active monitoring form

Read more on the AREC Policy, SOPs & TORs (add them all and list them for clarity)

2. Submission Process for Postgraduate Students:

• Submit documents to the faculty for approval through the supervisor and the Faculty Deputy Dean Research & Innovation.
• Upon faculty approval, documents are forwarded to the Higher Degrees Committee (HDC) (hdc-admin@unizulu.ac.za)
• After HDC approval, documents are submitted to the University of Zululand Research Ethics Committees (HREC or AREC) for final review and issuance of ethics approval letter.

Staff research projects require ethics approval, following a different process from student applications:

Required Steps:

1. Departmental Submission: Staff members submit their research proposals and ethics application forms through their department.
2. Deputy Dean Research Approval: The submission must be signed by the Deputy Dean Research, confirming departmental review and support.
3. Ethics Committee Review: The documents are then sent to either the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) or the Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC) for review and approval.
4. Contact Information: Submissions should be directed to ethics@unizulu.ac.za.