University of Malaya Research Ethics Committee (UMREC)

Overview

The University of Malaya Research Ethics Committee (UMREC) undertakes ethics review of all non-medical research involving human participants including funded and unfunded research. 

The UMREC conducts an ethics review prior to the beginning of any research involving human participants. The UMREC examines the ethics components of the research such as, sound methodology, possible risks  and benefits to the subjects, recruitment of subjects, consent from the subjects, confidentiality or anonymity for the subjects, the way in which the data is handled, and how feedback can be provided for the subjects. Please note that any data collection and participants recruitments for any purposes are strictly prohibited before obtaining ethical clearance. 

More information is available in the following documents:

1. Code of Research Ethics
2. University of Malaya Manual of Responsible  Research
3. Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ)

Application of UMREC-NM (student and staff):

a. The UMREC-NM forms can be downloaded directly from this website: 

•  Application form
•  Participant information sheet
•  Consent form
•  Questionnaire/ interview guide (please submit your own questionnaire/interview questions)

b. All the application forms should be computer typed. Handwritten forms will be totally rejected

c. Applicants are required to submit a copy of PDF of their application to UMREC email at umrec@um.edu.my. Therefore, 

• The application form must be signed by supervisors (for student application) and head of department/ dean of the faculty
• Please scan and save the completed form, i) Application form, ii) Participant Information Sheet, iii) Consent form, and iv) Questionnaire/ interview guide)  in  ONE PDF file with name:  "UMREC_Application_(your name)" e.g. UMREC_Application_Ali

d. Please make sure that your submission is complete prior to the checklist.  The UMREC-NM will strictly reject and will not entertain any incomplete submissions.

e.  Closing dates  for application submission as follows : 

UMREC will take about 30 days to process your application after the submission deadline. However, the processing time might take up to 60 days depending on the research complexity. Please keep in mind that required amendments will require additional processing time. Applicants are advised to submit their ethics clearance application as EARLY as possible prior to their data collection.