Symposium on Fostering Research Integrity at Sunway University

Sunway University recently hosted an impactful Symposium on Fostering Research Integrity, moderated by the University's Provost, Professor Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam. The event welcomed esteemed guests from Taiwan, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, representing various universities and ministries. Researchers and students gathered to engage in discussions centred on education and research, emphasising the core values that drive their work and the importance of impactful contributions to society.

Prof. Abhimanyu kicked off the event with an invigorating speech, welcoming the guests and reiterating Sunway University's core values of Integrity, Excellence, and Humility. He also described the University as 'research-focused' and 'impact-driven', which made the symposium's topic even more relevant.

This was followed by a short speech by Professor Chai Lay Ching, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Education, who briefed the guests about the ASEAN Young Scientists Network (YSN). Launched in Cebu, Philippines, in October 2018, the ASEAN YSN serves as a platform for regional collaboration among young scientists under 45 from the ten ASEAN states. She also shared stories about how the initiative has adapted to the online era, particularly during the pandemic, facilitating connections and exchanges among researchers across the region with online meetings.

Plenary Speakers Highlight Research Integrity

The symposium included a series of plenary sessions with distinguished speakers, each addressing critical aspects of research integrity.

Prof. Khatijah Yusoff from Malaysia discussed efforts to promote responsible research conduct, highlighting issues of misconduct in research practices. As the Chair of the National Committee on Research Integrity (NCRI) and a member of the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Science Malaysia, she emphasised the importance of the Malaysian Code of Responsible Conduct in Research (MCRCR). Prof. Yusoff unveiled the development of a self-paced online MCRCR course, aiming to embed responsible research practices as a cornerstone of higher education.

Prof. Jun Fudano, representing the Toyota Foundation, shared insights on the promotion of research integrity in Asia through the Asia Pacific Research Integrity (APRI) initiative. He discussed the common challenges faced in establishing misconduct guidelines and the problems associated with e-learning. His presentation outlined major initiatives aimed at developing laws, policies, and guidelines to strengthen research integrity across the region.

Prof. In Jae Lee from the Seoul National University of Education provided an overview of governance in promoting responsible conduct of research (RCR) in South Korea. He highlighted the country’s national laws, guidelines, and the role of research ethics committees, showcasing promising progress in enhancing ethics regulations within the research community.

Lastly, Prof. Chien Chou addressed the importance of research integrity in Taiwan, particularly as a relatively new economy. He underscored the various strategies employed to promote integrity, including innovative approaches like gamification, and shared examples of how past misconduct cases have been handled to foster a culture of accountability.

Engaging Audience Forum

The symposium concluded with an engaging forum, moderated by Professor Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam, allowing audience members to pose questions to the speakers. This interactive session facilitated valuable discussions and exchanges of ideas, reinforcing the collective commitment to advancing research integrity in the region.

Overall, the symposium served as a vital platform for sharing knowledge, addressing challenges, and fostering collaboration among researchers dedicated to upholding integrity in their work. Sunway University continues to champion these principles, ensuring that research remains a force for positive impact in society.