Yenepoya University’s Centre for Ethics Concludes 14th Intensive Summer Workshop on Ethics and Research
Mangalore: The Centre for Ethics (CFE) at Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) successfully hosted the 14th edition of its highly regarded Intensive Summer Workshop on Ethics and Research (I-SWEAR) from May 26th to 30th, 2025. This year’s workshop continued CFE’s tradition of fostering ethical responsibility within the research and healthcare sectors.
The inaugural ceremony featured insightful addresses from Dr. Anil Kakunje, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), and Dr. Vibhuti Patel, Visiting Professor at CFE. Their contributions provided valuable perspectives and set the tone for the week-long program.
I-SWEAR’s primary objective is to equip researchers and healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to navigate the complex ethical considerations inherent in their fields. The workshop focused on identifying and addressing ethical challenges arising in research involving both human participants and animals. A key component of the program was the conferral of Indian Good Clinical Practice certification upon successful participants, enabling them to conduct clinical trials responsibly and to serve effectively on Institutional Ethics Committees.
The workshop maintained a balanced approach, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application through carefully structured sessions. Esteemed national faculty members, including Dr. Amar Jesani, an independent Bioethics Consultant and Chief Editor of the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics; Dr. Arun Bhatt, Consultant and Joint Editor-in-Chief of Perspectives in Clinical Research; and Prof. Mala Ramanathan from the Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, shared their expertise.
In-house faculty from Yenepoya University also contributed significantly to the workshop, including Dr. Vina Vaswani, Director of CFE; Dr. Ravi Vaswani, Professor of Internal Medicine & Faculty, CFE; Dr. Uma Kulkarni, Professor of Ophthalmology & Faculty, CFE; Dr. Poonam Naik, Professor of Community Medicine, Faculty CFE; Dr. Pooja Harish, Reader in the Department of Orthodontics, Faculty CFE; Dr. Megha Rani, Professor in the Department of Pharmacology; Ms. Aarti Halwai, Tutor, CFE; and Mr. Akuma Ifeanyichukwu, SRF CFE. The valedictory function was presided over by the Registrar of Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Dr. K S Gangadhara Somayaji.
This year’s I-SWEAR workshop benefited 40 participants from both within Yenepoya University and external organizations. Attendees represented diverse disciplines, including members of Ethics Committees from Medical, Dental, Physiotherapy, Ayurveda, Nursing & Hospital, Allied Health Science, and Hospital Administration.
The Centre for Ethics is currently commemorating its 15th anniversary, marking a decade and a half of dedication to ethical discourse, training, and governance. CFE has established itself as a prominent leader in the field, hosting numerous international and national workshops, as well as a career counseling series.
For more information about the Centre for Ethics and its upcoming events, interested individuals are encouraged to visit www.ethics.edu.in.