Stellenbosch University is committed to applying the values of equity, participation, transparency, service, tolerance and mutual respect, dedication, scholarship, responsibility and academic freedom in all its activities (as contained in the SU Vision Statement). This includes, by definition, the research conducted at the University.
All health related research must, in terms if the Health Act No 61.2003 be approved by an accredited research ethics committee. Thus all health related research involving:
- interaction with human participants
- the use of potentially identifiable personal records, information or tissue specimens
- human progenitor or stem cells
requires the approval of a Stellenbosch University Research Ethics Committee (REC) BEFORE the research study commences.
Both HRECs review the full range of health research involving human subjects currently conducted under the auspices of Stellenbosch University.
- Health Research Ethics Committee 1 (HREC1/ GNEK1) meets on the first Wednesday of every month. Franklin Weber is the Secretary to this REC.
- Health Research Ethics Committee 2 (HREC2/GNEK2) meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Mertrude Davids is the Secretary to this Committee.
Meetings are every month except January and July.
The Animal Care and Use committee reviews all research or teaching/ training that involves vertebrate or sentient animals. This committee is now operating from main campus and all applications should be forwarded to Winston Beukes wabeukes@sun.ac.za
All health-related biomedical and social research at the Stellenbosch University requires prior ethical clearance by the Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC).
HREC 1 & 2 are registered with the SA Department of Health's National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC). HREC 1 & 2 are also registered with the US Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP)
Federal-Wide Assurance (FWA) Assurance number: FWA00001372
IRB numbers IRB00005239 and IRB00005240.
HREC Applications must be made on the appropriate form. All forms can be found under application package.
