MALAWI: CUNIMAREC, MUBASREC Engage to Strengthen Research Ethics Committee Operations

Members of the Catholic University of Malawi Research Ethics Committee (CUNIMAREC) visited the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) during the week of October 19, 2026, to study how the MUBAS Research Ethics Committee (MUBASREC) manages research ethics review processes.

The visit intended to build the institutional capacity and operational readiness of CUNIMAREC as it prepares to become fully operational following its recent approval. Sainala Kalebe, the manager for the CUNIMA Centre for Research and Publications, said the engagement provided valuable lessons from an institution with established experience in research ethics review. Kalebe noted that because CUNIMAREC recently received approval and has not yet been active in its operations, the committee sought to learn how to best run its processes from MUBASREC.

During the meeting, MUBASREC members shared practical information regarding committee management, specifically research protocol submission and review procedures. MUBASREC Acting Chairperson Dr. Peter Mathews Mhagama welcomed the visitors and noted that the engagement was based on the experience his committee has gained over the years.