Championing Ethical Research: NDMU Establishes South Cotabato's First Ethics Review Board (ERB)

In a landmark move toward advancing ethical research and academic integrity, Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU) proudly announces the official establishment of its Ethics Review Board (ERB) on March 14, 2025, through Memorandum No. 1 Series of 2025 issued by the University President, Bro. Paterno S. Corpus, FMS, EdD. This is the first of its kind among academic institutions in the province of South Cotabato.

The creation of the NDMU Ethics Review Board reflects the university’s enduring commitment to uphold the highest standards of ethical responsibility in research involving human participants. As the demand for data-driven and evidence-based studies grows, NDMU recognizes the vital need to ensure that all research conducted within its academic community is ethical, respectful, and protects participants’ rights, dignity, and welfare.

A Pioneering Milestone

By establishing the first ERB in the province, NDMU has again positioned itself as a trailblazer in educational leadership, fostering a culture of accountability, scientific rigor, and human respect in scholarly work. This initiative raises the bar for academic institutions in South Cotabato and responds to the growing call for ethical oversight in local and regional research initiatives.

Committee Functions and Responsibilities

The NDMU Ethics Review Board comprises a multidisciplinary team of faculty experts, ethicists, legal professionals, and community representatives. Its primary role is to review, assess, and approve research protocols, ensuring that studies meet ethical guidelines aligned with national and international standards such as those set by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The ERB will focus on:

• Evaluating risks and benefits of research involving human participants

• Ensuring informed consent and confidentiality measures

• Upholding justice, equity, and transparency in research conduct

• Monitoring ongoing research for compliance and ethical adherence

Advancing Ethical Culture in Mindanao Research

NDMU envisions the Ethics Review Board as a gatekeeper and an educational resource—equipping students, faculty, and external researchers with the tools and knowledge needed to design and implement ethically sound research. It aims to serve academic, health, and community-based research projects, fostering collaboration between academia and society.

As the first university in South Cotabato to institutionalize this framework, NDMU has set a precedent and opened new opportunities for responsible, community-aligned research.

Looking Forward

This bold initiative aligns with NDMU’s mission of forming competent, compassionate, and committed individuals and underscores the university’s role in shaping research practices that are not only innovative but also ethically grounded.

Through the Ethics Review Board, Notre Dame of Marbel University reinforces its role as a leading academic institution in Mindanao—committed to truth, human dignity, and social transformation through responsible scholarship.