Sefako Makgatho University Animal Research Ethics Committee (SMUAREC)
About Sefako Makgatho University Animal Research Ethics Committee (SMUAREC)
The Sefako Makgatho University Animal Research Ethics Committee (SMUAREC) operates under terms of reference that guide its management of research ethics processes within the university, ensuring minimum standards are met. Its primary role is to rigorously review all matters involving animal use in research and teaching to safeguard the rights, safety, dignity, care, and welfare of both researchers and animals.
The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) further detail SMUAREC’s operational scope. Its purpose is to guide the application, amendment, or extension of studies involving animals for research and teaching at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. The SMUAREC’s responsibilities include ensuring ethical review, approval, and monitoring of all applications. This involves verifying that applicants do not commence research or teaching without approval and that studies adhere to approved protocols. The committee also monitors facilities, stops or suspends protocols if necessary, and ensures compliance with relevant policies and procedures, even for studies involving multiple institutions.
Application Submission and Review Process
All applications must be processed online as indicated in the “Applications portal”. Applications must be submitted at least three weeks (15 working days) before the next ethics meeting as per the university calendar. Failure to do so will result in the application being reviewed at the subsequent meeting. Such applications will then be included in the meeting agenda, which is drafted and sent to the SMUAREC chairperson for review along with the minutes of the previous meeting. Once approved by the chairperson, committee members will then be granted access to the documents prior to the scheduled meeting.
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Apply through the online portal by following this link: SMU Research Ethics Applications
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To apply online follow the process outlined in SMUAREC-SOP-009
Composition of SMUAREC
The SMUAREC is composed of various categories of members and additional members:
- Category A:
- One qualified and registered Veterinarian employed or contracted by the university, serving as the independent SMUAREC Veterinarian.
- Category B: A minimum of two academic staff members experienced in animal research.
- Category C: One inspector from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
- Category D: At least one member not involved in animal research or teaching (past or present experience) or not associated with the university, except for AREC membership.
- Additional Members:
- The director/manager of an Animal Research Facility or Laboratory Animal Centre.
- A member directly involved in the daily care, sourcing, breeding, production, and upkeep of animals.
- A member with expertise in statistics and/or biostatistics, capable of confirming appropriate statistical methodologies and power analysis.
- A member with a legal qualification.
- At least one member with expertise and experience in quantitative research methodologies.
- At least one member with expertise and experience in bridging the gap between basic science and applied science or practice, particularly in implementing findings from pre-clinical animal studies to human or animal clinical settings.
- Any other expert deemed necessary by the committee.
- Chairperson: Appointed by the DVC teaching and research, holding a senior institutional position, with experience in research methodology and animal ethics training (or one year of SMUAREC service). The chairperson’s appointment is in addition to the Category A-D members.
- Deputy Chairperson: An active committee member nominated and appointed by the committee, with the DVC endorsing the appointment.
- Administrative Support Staff: Provided by the Research and Innovation Office, including a full-time Administrative Officer for SMUAREC.
Executive Committee: Consists of the Chairperson, one Category A member, and one Category C/D member, delegated to approve minor amendments to approved projects.
Summary of Meeting Procedures
The SMUAREC discusses and assesses ongoing animal research projects and teaching protocols. The decision-making process involves aggregating individual views from review comments, deliberation, seeking consensus, and voting if necessary. Possible outcomes include approval, provisional approval (with required changes), or not approved (due to major ethical concerns). The feedback letters will be issued to applicants and supervisors before the next the meeting date.
Contact us
Should you encounter a challenge to log in or an enquiry related to the application, please contact:
Ms Lorato Phiri (SMUAREC Coordinator)
Email: lorato.phiri@smu.ac.za
Tel: 012 521 5617
OR
Ms Phindile Matsebane (SMUAREC Deputy Chairperson)
Email: phindile.matsebane@smu.ac.za,
Tel: 012 521 4061
Mr Thabiso Mxabela (System Administrator)
Email: thabiso.mxabela@smu.ac.za
Tel: 012 521 3044
- Login failed
- Unlocking the project for amendments (quote project ID number)
- Application form assistance
ICT Student Support 012 521 5768
- Activation of the SMU domain to access the form (this form ONLY accepts @swave.smu.ac.za& @smu.ac.za domains)
- Ethics Password reset
- Student email password reset
Mr George Wolhuter (ICT Security Specialist)
Email: george.wolhuter@smu.ac.za
Tel: 012 521 4973
- Fail to log in due to Authenticator Code
- Access Outside of the country