Published on: January 6, 2025
The Department of Clinical Research at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, successfully launched a comprehensive five-week training program from January 6 to February 7, 2025, sponsored by the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
As part of this initiative, a two-day workshop titled “Training Workshop on Bioethics” was conducted on January 6–7, 2025, in collaboration with the ICMR Bioethics Unit, Bengaluru. This sensitization program aimed to enhance the ethical competencies of faculty members and Ethics Committees across Uttarakhand’s medical colleges.
The workshop was inaugurated by prominent dignitaries including Dr. Kiran Katoch (NJILOMD, ICMR), Dr. Rajendra Dobal (Vice-Chancellor, SRHU), Dr. Vijendra Devisingh Chauhan (Director General Academic & Development, SRHU), Prof. Ashok Kumar Deorari (Principal, HIMS), Dr. Bindu Dey (Director of Research, SRHU), Dr. Roli Mathur (Scientist G and Head, ICMR Bioethics Unit, Bengaluru), and Dr. Nikku Yadav (Organizing Secretary and Head, Department of Clinical Research, HIMS).
The workshop focused on advancing adherence to ethical standards and Good Clinical Practices (GCP) in clinical research through expert sessions, interactive discussions, and practical exercises. Key themes included fundamental principles of research ethics, Ethics Committee roles and responsibilities, application of GCP guidelines, and strategies for resolving ethical dilemmas.
Attended by 100 participants, including faculty and Ethics Committee representatives from five leading medical colleges in Uttarakhand — AIIMS Rishikesh, Doon Medical College, Graphic Era Medical College, Government Medical College Haridwar, and HIMS — the workshop fostered capacity building and regional collaboration among ethics oversight bodies.
This program significantly contributed to strengthening a culture of ethical research and ensuring clinical research in Uttarakhand aligns with national and international integrity standards. The ongoing five-week training will further enhance ethical research practices by providing intensive training to 30 postgraduate students from clinical research, biosciences, and MD programs.
The Bioethics Training Workshop deepened participants’ understanding of core ethical principles such as respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Emphasis was placed on informed consent, confidentiality, and responsible conduct. Attendees gained practical tools to ethically navigate challenges, ensuring research upholds the highest moral standards while protecting human rights.
