• May 7 to 9, 2018 – Dr. Aamir Jafarey attended the Ethics & Vector-borne Diseases meeting in Vienna, Austria to formulate draft ethical guidelines to guide researchers and public health intervention experts regarding the actions to be taken in efforts to control vectors and the diseases they spread.
• November 1 and 2, 2018 – As a member, Dr. Farhat Moazam attended the first WHO Task Force Meeting on Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues held at Geneva, Switzerland.
• November 11 and 12, 2018 – Dr. Aamir Jafarey attended the EMRO-RERC meeting in Cairo and presented a report on the proceedings of the Ethics of Vector-borne Diseases group.

• January 9-10, 2019 – Dr. Farhat Moazam attended the Fourth Meeting of the WHO Collaborating Centres in the Eastern Mediterranean Region held in Muscat, Oman.
• February 2019 – Dr. Aamir Jafarey represented the Centre in the National Workshop on Collaborating Centres organized by WHO in Islamabad in February 2019. He shared with the other participants the experiences of CBEC as a CC and the process it took to obtain the status of a CC in Bioethics
• June 24-25, 2019 – CBEC-WHO Conference and Workshop – “Ethical Deceased Organ and Tissue Donor Programs and the Role of Transplant Coordinators” was organized at SIUT, Karachi.
• July 23-25, 2019 – Dr. Aamir Jafarey attended the final meeting of the Ethics & Vector-borne Diseases international consultation process held at the WHO HQ, Geneva.
• 2019 – Teaching video “Pushing Boundaries” was produced as a third contribution to the activity.
• 2019 – Teaching video “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” was produced by CBEC as part of this collaboration. This film was screened during the CBEC-WHO Conference and Workshop – ‘Ethical Deceased Organ and Tissue Donor Programs and the Role of Transplant Coordinators’ at CBEC-SIUT, Karachi.

• June 12, 2020 – Dr. Farhat Moazam and Dr. Aamir Jafarey attended a virtual meeting of the Global Network of WHO CCs for Bioethics, the Regional Ethics focal points and HQ Ethics held on June 12, 2020.
• August 8, 2020 – As part of inter CC collaboration, a teaching session was organized by CBEC on Saturday, August 8, 2020 in which Prof. Keymanthri Moodle (Director Centre of Bioethics and Law, Stellenbosch University SA, a WHO CC) was invited to hold an online session on ‘Critical Care Constraints: Difficult Decisions in LMICs’ for CBEC’s Post Graduate Diploma and Master’s in Bioethics students.
• September 9 and 11, 2020 – Dr. Farhat Moazam and Dr. Aamir Jafarey attended the virtual 13th Global Summit of the NECs.
• September 25, 2020 – Dr. Farhat Moazam and Dr. Aamir Jafarey were invited to a virtual meeting of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Bioethics, the Regional Ethics focal points.
• October 14, 2020 – Dr. Aamir Jafarey attended ‘WHO: Launch of Guidance on Ethics & Vector-borne Diseases and Position Statement on Genetically Modified Mosquitoes’ virtual meeting held at Geneva, Switzerland.
• November 17, 2020 – Dr. Aamir Jafarey attended the WHO EMRO-RERC virtual meeting held at Cairo, Egypt.
• December 2020 – In response to a call from WHO HQ, a report was submitted on “Adapting National Research Review Process during Covid-19: Reviewers’ Perspectives from Pakistan”. This report was published as a paper in EMHJ in July 2021.
• December, 2020 – CBEC-SIUT was invited to assist in the dissemination of WHO’s Ethics & Vector-borne Diseases guidance document, which included conducting three webinars, focusing on EMRO, AFRO and SEARO series, development of a Concept Paper on a film ‘A Tale of Two Worlds’ and translation of the summary of the guideline from English to Urdu. The following three dissemination webinars were organized:
  • December 9, 2020 – “Ethics and Vector-Borne Diseases: WHO Guidance” in collaboration with WHO HQ Geneva and WHO EMRO
  • December 11, 2020 – “Ethics and Vector-Borne Diseases: WHO Guidance” in collaboration with WHO HQ Geneva and WHO regional office for Africa (AFRO)
  • December 17, 2020 – “Ethics and Vector-Borne Diseases: WHO Guidance” in collaboration with WHO HQ Geneva, Western Pacific Regional office of WHO (WPRO), South East Asia Regional office of WHO (SEARO) and Asia-Pacific National Ethics Committee (APNEC)
• December 2020 (ongoing) – Dr. Farhat Moazam is a member of the working group “Developing WHO Best Practices on Integrating Vaccine Introduction and Research”

• January 21, 2021 – Dr. Farhat Moazam and Dr. Aamir Jafarey attended the WHO Bioethics CCs Network virtual conference.
• March 2021 – Dr. Farhat Moazam performed an external review of WHO Guidance document “Emergency use of unproven clinical interventions outside research: Ethical considerations”.
• March 2021 – At the request of EMR Office CBEC produced the report “Mapping of Research Ethics Governance in Pakistan: A Pilot Situation Analysis”. This was submitted for publication in EMHJ in August 2021.
• April 13, 2021 – Dr. Farhat Moazam and Dr. Aamir Jafarey attended the virtual WHO Network of CCs for Bioethics meeting.
• June 17, 2021 – Dr. Aamir Jafarey attended the virtual Global Network of WHO CCs for Bioethics meeting

Clinical Ethics Certificate Course , April 25 to May 3, 2019:

Thirty-five participants from Kenya participated in the two-week certificate course on clinical ethics. The certificate course covered a variety of topics including the concept of informed consent as applicable in different medical situations, privacy and confidentiality, pharma-physician interaction and the related concept of conflict of interest, medical error and negligence and so forth.

The program of the certificate course was again structured in such a way that international faculty was paired with local faculty, in order to enhance local capacity. Several of CBEC’s alumni from Kenya also conducted sessions on their own in this round.

• 
  Participants and Faculty during evaluation of the course.
• 
  CKBTI Faculty with course participants.

Research and Public Health Ethics Certificate Course and Practicum, October-November, 2019

Twenty-eight participants from Kenya, and four participants from Pakistan (32 in total) attended the week long certificate course that focused on Research and Public Health Ethics.

The program of the CC was structured in a way that international faculty enhanced the local capacity, with many of CBEC alumni in Kenya also leading some of the integral sessions.

The course was followed by a four-day long practicum that enabled the participants to view the working of an Ethical Review Committee that handles a large number of proposals.

Pre and post test surveys were conducted before and after the workshop in order to measure the effectiveness of the course, with feedback provided to the course participants on areas of improvement.

• 
  Participants during the Practicum learning the functioning of the Secretariat
• 
  Course participants engaged in a hands-on activity with Dr. Mala Ramanathan

Research Ethics and Public Health Ethics Certificate Course and Practicum, July 2018:

Twenty participants consisting of five Pakistani participants and 15 African participants (from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) for a week long Certificate Course (CC) in Research Ethics and Public Health Ethics. This was followed by a second week consisting of a Practicum consisting of 10 participants (5 Pakistani participants and 5 Kenyan participants).

The program of the CC was structured to facilitate pairing of guest faculty with local faculty, with the objective of enhancing local capacity.

The practicum in the second week was designed to provide hands on experience for the participants in managing and running a secretariat for a Research Ethics Committee (REC/IRB/ERC).

• 
  Dr. Amar Jesani and his co-instructor Ms. Caroline Kithinji taking a session.
• 
  A CBEC production “Testing Times” being used to discuss issues related to privacy and confidentiality.
• 
  Dr. Asad Raja taking a session on standards of care
• 
  The practicum group at the SERU secretariat for a field visit
• 
  Prof. Walter Jaoko taking a session on Contract Research Organizations
• 
  The Pakistani participants gather on the balcony with some of the faculty to capture the moment in this memorable picture
• 
  Dr. Mala Ramanathan doing the famous “gender walk”
  with the students, driving home the subtleties of
  the impact of gender in access to healthcare

Clinical Ethics Certificate Course, September 2018:

Thiry-one participants from different parts of Africa attended the five-day long certificate course in Clinical Ethics.

The program of the CC consisted of integral topics in Clinical Ethics such as medical error and negligence, privacy and confidentiality and necessity of informed consent. Local faculty was paired with international faculty from different parts of the world in order to build capacity.

• 
  Dr. Bushra Shirazi leading a discussion during the Curriculum Adaptation workshop
• 
  Participants engaged in a role play portraying a Hospital Ethics Consultation

Research Ethics course and Practicum:

Held over the course of one week, this certificate course trained 27 participants (23 Kenyan and 5 Pakistani scholars) in research ethics. The Pakistani students along with 5 Kenyan students were additionally provided Practicum training at the KEMRI Scientific and Ethics Review unit (SERU), to understand the workings of a REC secretariat.

• 
  Dr. Amar Jesani engaging with course participants
• 
  Dr. Asad Jamil Raja during his talk on research ethics
• 
  Learning the works of a REC secretariat

Clinical Ethics/Public Health course:

This certificate course trained 25 Kenyan scholars in the domain of clinical and public health ethics, giving them a flavor of various ethical dilemmas encountered, utilizing a variety of teaching tools including local CBEC visual productions.

• 
  Dr. Moazam engaging the students during an interactive discussion
• 
  Dr. Stephen Ombok Muhudhia during his talk

During the certificate courses, scholars from Pakistan, Kenya and Tanzania had an opportunity to attend the 2nd Bioethics Society of Kenya (BSK) conference. The Pakistani scholars who are alumni from CBEC-SIUT, presented their papers at the conference, and had an opportunity to interacted with international academics and researchers at the conference.

• 
  Dr. Abeer Salim presenting a paper at the conference
• 
  Dr. Nazli Hossain presenting a paper at the conference

Curriculum Adaptation:

A daylong meeting of the Curriculum Adaptation Committee was held at KEMRI to discuss the mechanisms of adapting the CBEC curriculum to suit the Kenyan requirements. Subcommittees were selected and mandated to develop a framework for the various courses to be offered through CK-BTI over the years.

Advisory Board:

The first advisory board meeting was held in 2017. During this meeting, Professor Walta Jaoko was elected the chair of the board for tenure of 2.5 years.

The first year of the MBE program consists of four contact modules featuring national and international faculty, and a distance learning component between contact sessions. The contact sessions are taught at CBEC in which MBE and Postgraduate Diploma in Bioethics students attend the same courses, seated around the table. The duration of the first three modules is approximately 2 weeks, while the last module is generally shorter. For MBE students, onsite learning is interspaced with reading, research and assignments in the intervening months.

Contact sessions

• Foundations Module

The Foundations Module is taught over 2 weeks. It introduces students to the philosophical background of human moral thought extending from the Greeks to modern ethics. Other sessions cover the basics of moral traditions in different religions including Islam, historical interactions between ethics and law using paradigm legal cases, the evolution of contemporary bioethics and its globalization, and the importance of humanities (art and literature) in reflecting and shaping indigenous values in a society.

• Research and Public Health Module

The second module is taught over 2 weeks. It is devoted to ethical issues involving human subject research and public health. Students are introduced to international guidelines for ethical research and the specific challenges of conducting ethical research within developing countries. Sessions are devoted to the functions of Institutional Review Boards/ Ethics Review Committees, and issues of conflicts of interest including those during interactions with the pharmaceutical industry.

• Clinical Ethics Module

The third module, taught over 2 weeks, focuses on clinical ethics and highlights complex dilemmas emerging with the advances in biomedical science and technology. Case scenarios and discussions are employed to help familiarize students with ethical questions related to reproduction, genetics, end of life issues, organ donation, modern healthcare and practice among others. Workshops focusing on the basics of hospital ethics services and communication skills also form a core component.

• Gender Ethics Module

The fourth and last module, spread over 5-6 days, provides students with a broad overview of ethical and legal debates pertaining to gender rights and relationships within societies with special attention to laws relating to women in Pakistan. Sessions also highlight the role of religion, including Muslim jurisprudence, in defining gender roles and its tensions with the human rights paradigm.

Distance Learning

Between modules, MBE students are required to contribute brief postings, commentaries or discussion points on the CBEC “Bioethics Blog” which is moderated by CBEC faculty. In addition, they are assigned extensive reading material for module coursework and MBE seminars. In the away period, MBE students also engage in in-depth research for written assignments related to courses taken and for MBE teaching sessions.

Pedagogical Tools

Adult learning methodologies are employed in all four modules, with an emphasis on discussion rather than didactic lectures. In addition to tools such as small group work and role play, movies and examples from art and literature are also included to highlight and discuss various ethical themes. MBE Seminars are sessions specifically conducted for MBE students in which course faculty joins students in examining issues in greater depth. In the last three modules, MBE students are also assigned topics to research and teach to the class.

Assessment Strategies

• Contact Sessions

Within modules, MBE students are graded on quizzes, end of module tests and teaching sessions led by MBE students on assigned topics. Students are also assessed based on their participation in class discussions based on which they are provided extensive feedback by the faculty.

• Distance Learning

Faculty evaluate and provide extensive critique on the arguments and analysis presented in Bioethics Blog postings and comments made by students. In addition, during the away periods, MBE students are required to submit mandatory ‘take home’ written papers connected to module courses which are graded by faculty. These assignments can include material covered during the previous module and critical review of new materials sent to the students, which may include articles, book chapters, books, etc.

MBE Thesis

The second year of the MBE program is devoted to conducting original research leading to a 15,000 to 18,000 worded thesis. The thesis, due no later than October of the second year, must be approved by the Thesis Review Committee in order for students to be awarded the MBE degree. Research conducted must be original in nature involving either one or a combination of qualitative, empirical, and quantitative methodologies. Comprehensive literature review and analysis of a suitable, ethics-related topic are also acceptable for the thesis. Students are provided with faculty supervisors to guide their research and thesis writing.

The MBE is designed for mid-career professionals holding at least an undergraduate degree (equivalent to Bachelor of Arts/Science, etc.) degree and working within primary fields such as healthcare, social sciences, philosophy, law, education, humanities, etc., and who wish to incorporate relevant aspects of bioethics within their workplaces.

A minimum of five years of work experience in the primary field following the basic qualification is necessary. CBEC has a merit based admissions policy with no discrimination on the basis of gender, age, religion or ethnicity.

Application Process

The academic cycle at CBEC begins in January but the admission process starts at least 6 months earlier. At the commencement of the admission cycle, information regarding the admissions process is displayed on the CBEC website. Additionally, information is also disseminated through newspaper advertisements, social media platforms, email lists and any other means available.

Shortlisted MBE applicants are required to appear in a mandatory English Language Comprehension and Writing Skills Test because the program requires extensive reading and written assignments in English. Only those candidates who display required level of proficiency in English are invited for MBE interviews. Interviews are conducted by members of Admission and Selection Committee. These can take place at CBEC in Karachi, and if required, organized in other cities, or remotely through Zoom or similar means.

Applicants who are unable to achieve the required level of proficiency in English but judged to be strong contenders otherwise, may be invited to interview for the concomitantly run, one year duration, Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Ethics (PGD) program. Please note that being called for the interview does not guarantee admission into the PGD program.

Decision of the Admission and Selection Committee, made on the basis of strength of application and support documents, performance in the English test, and interviews, is considered final.

Application Requirements

MBE applicants must complete all sections of the application form and submit it along with all required documents listed below no later than the given deadline. Late and / or incomplete applications will not be processed.

1. Application Form (Electronic Submission)
2. Documents (to be uploaded with the application form and also separately emailed to cbec.siut@gmail.com in a single email, as attachments):
   1. Brief curriculum vitae
   2. Essay: Submit a 700-750 word essay in your own words, describing an event or encounter in your life that has had a major and/or lasting impact on you. The essay should be a MS Word document, using Times New Roman script, with font size 12 and double line spacing. The essay should be saved with the applicants’ surname, e.g. malik.doc before uploading and emailing as an attachment. Note that the essay will also be screened for plagiarism.
   3. Attested scanned copy of undergraduate degree (e.g. MBBS, or BA/BS)
   4. Attested scanned copies of other relevant qualifications/fellowships
   5. Scanned letter of support (for full time employed applicants only) from the relevant institutional head on a letterhead. This letter should state that the institution supports you in acquiring this qualification, will ensure that you are able to attend all modules at CBEC, and participate in the distance learning components. For a sample letter of support, please click here.
   6. Two samples of your written material, such as articles preferably academic publications, reports, projects etc. Provide hyperlinks to articles accessible online or upload and email scanned copies
   7. Scan of a recent photograph
3. Two letters of recommendation addressed to Prof. Farhat Moazam, Chairperson, Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture, SIUT. (These should be emailed in confidence only to Dr. Moazam directly by persons recommending you to the following email addresses: famoz@mindspring.com & famoz2008@gmail.com): The letters, preferably on a letterhead, should be from individuals in responsible positions, who know you and believe that you are suitable for pursuing formal education in bioethics. For more information regarding letter of recommendation, please click here.

Important

In case of difficulties in uploading or emailing the aforementioned documents, please contact cbec.siut@gmail.com.

Please note that applicants shortlisted for interviews will be required to bring originals of all submitted documents and two passport size colored photographs.

COVID-19 Related Regulations

1. All applicants will be required to submit proof of vaccination against COVID in addition to having received a booster dose, as per current Pakistan government regulations.
   1. Unvaccinated applicants must provide valid evidence of a medical contraindication, duly certified by an ID physician. The Admission and Selection Committee will assess for acceptability or otherwise.
2. Pakistan government SOPs in place at the time will be applicable during the module, including use of masks and social distancing.
   1. Students will be expected to abide by any additional precautions faculty considers necessary during the module.
3. Students are expected to be present during all days of every module. Per existing policy, absence for any reason may result in being dropped from the program

1. 1. Based on faculty discretion, students dropped due to unexpected illness including COVID, may be provided preference in admission to the following academic cycle of the program.

Skills

Applicants must have good reading, comprehension, and writing skills in English in order to handle coursework which includes extensive readings and written assignments. In addition, it is essential that applicants possess basic competency in computer skills including the use of email, MS Office programs, web-based searches, social media applications, and the capacity for connecting for video conferencing using Zoom or similar applications. Students are responsible for maintaining unrestricted access to broadband internet and a suitably equipped computer to enable participation in distance learning assignments.

Academics

MBE students are required to maintain a grade average of 65% (C+) in order to continue in the program. If despite faculty assistance and counseling a student does not attain the required minimum grade average, she/he may be asked to leave the program. Based on overall performance and faculty evaluation, the CBEC Faculty at its discretion may offer such candidates an opportunity to transfer to the one year Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Ethics (PGD) program. The PGD runs concomitantly with the MBE program and is taught by the same faculty, but has less rigorous writing requirements from students.

Punctuality

Other requirements are punctuality, full attendance and active class participation in all 4 modules, and satisfactory and on-time completion of all assignments including those related to distance learning components. Students may be dropped from the program in case of any absence.

Thesis

Submission of the thesis by the given deadline (generally October in the program’s second year) and its approval by the Thesis Review Committee are mandatory for graduation from the MBE program. If the Thesis Review Committee finds that the submission does not meet required standards, the student will be asked to resubmit within an appropriate deadline. If the resubmission is also found to be below standards, the student will not receive the MBE degree. If she/he has satisfactorily completed and passed all required MBE course work in the first year of the program, CBEC faculty may recommend to the Department of Medical Education, SIMS that the student be conferred a Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Ethics instead.

Tuition

CBEC-SIUT waives the tuition fee of all students selected into the Master’s in Bioethics program and provides all reading material for courses electronically, at no cost. Lunch, tea, and snacks are also provided free during the modules held in Karachi.

Accommodation

Subject to availability, free accommodation (without meals) may be offered at the SIUT residential apartments for out-of-town candidates on a twin sharing basis. The apartments provide free Wi-Fi for use by students.

Transport

Complementary daily transportation between the SIUT apartments and CBEC is provided for the duration of the modules in Karachi. Travel to and from Karachi for out-of-town students will be their own responsibility. CBEC-SIUT will however provide airport pick and drop services for non-Pakistani students to facilitate their arrival and departure. Pakistani students will be responsible for their transport arrangements to and from the Karachi airport. Several reliable radio cab services at the airport are easily available and can be utilized.

Facilities at CBEC

All four modules take place in CBEC in Karachi in a facilitative learning environment. CBEC is located on the 7th Floor of the Suleman Dawood Transplant Tower, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Yaqub Khan Road. Adequate workspaces, computers, internet access, a library and photocopying facilities are available on site.

• Relevant individuals, serving on ethics committees, or potential members of such committees who are deemed to be suitable for the CC are nominated by our alumni. The selection is based on their current involvement with bioethics, as well as their CV. There is no test or interview for inclusion in the CC.
• CC students are not graded and there are no assignments or exams. However, they are expected to observe punctuality, full attendance and to participate in class discussions to be awarded the Certificate of Participation.
• The CC participants are expected to read the materials shared with them prior to the course. They are expected to maintain a 100% attendance throughout the course which can last up to 2 weeks, from 8 am to 6 pm. There are no take-home assignments for the CC participants during the course in order to keep the workload on them to the minimum. There is therefore minimal disruption of the normal schedule for the participants, other than mandatory attendance during the course.

• CBEC-SIUT waives tuition fee of all students selected into the CC program and provides all reading material for courses electronically, at no cost. Lunch, tea, and snacks are also provided free during the modules held in Karachi.
• Subject to availability, free accommodation (without meals) may be offered at the SIUT residential apartments for out-of-town candidates on a twin sharing basis. The apartments provide free Wi-Fi for use by students.
• Complementary daily transportation between the SIUT apartments and CBEC is provided for the duration of the modules in Karachi. Travel to and from Karachi for out-of-town students will be their own responsibility. CBEC-SIUT will however provide airport pick and drop services for non-Pakistani students to facilitate their arrival and departure. Pakistani students will be responsible for their transport arrangements to and from the Karachi airport. Several reliable radio cab services at the airport are easily available and can be utilized.
• All teaching takes place in CBEC in Karachi in a facilitative learning environment. CBEC is located on the 7th Floor of the Suleman Dawood Transplant Tower, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Yaqub Khan Road. Adequate workspaces, computers, internet access, a library and photocopying facilities are available on site.

For more information, please contact us at cbec.siut@gmail.com