# Developing a Master's Degree Program in Research Ethics in Myanmar

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2020 · $242,656

## Abstract

Myanmar emerges from decades of isolation with much hope and support from the global and regional
communities and as such, funds for health-related research is increasing to enhance the health status of the
population. Ethical behavior and the review of healthcare-related research remains a worldwide concern,
especially in low- and middle-income countries. Accordingly, our proposal holds an overall GOAL of enhancing
sustainable research ethics capacity in Myanmar to meet the emerging research and health system evaluation
demands of societies undergoing rapid transition. As such, our OBJECTIVES include: 1) enhance the
professional development of a critical mass of individuals for them to become research ethics leaders; 2) the
establishment of a sustainable diploma and master’s degree programs focused in research ethics at a degree-
granting institution in Myanmar; and 3) the development of educational activities that strengthen local capacity
in clinical and public health research ethics among scientists, health professionals and academics. To achieve
these objectives we propose the following Specific Aims: 1) provide training to Myanmar academics with a 2-
year blended training program that consists of onsite activities (2-week program at the University of Maryland
Baltimore (UMB) and a 2-week program in at the University Medicine-1 (UM-1) in Myanmar) and enrollment in
an online Masters of Science in Health Science Degree (30 credits) with a concentration in research ethics.
We will also provide innovation training for the development of critical skills in communications and leadership,
pedagogy, research design and statistics, manuscript and grant writing, and analysis of health systems.
Training will also include opportunities for practicum experiences, such as development of research ethics
courses, research on culturally-driven ethical practices, and participation in ethical review committees. Our
second specific aim will involve a professional development program that will consist of 1) a structured
Individual Development Plan; 2) an innovative mentoring experience that consists of a paired mentoring
approach with core faculty members from the participating institutions from Myanmar, the US, and Australia,
and 3) post-training activities that includes opportunities to teach in our intramural training programs and our
online programs. To ensure institutional sustainability, our next Specific Aim calls for us to collaborate with the
faculty at the University Medicine-1(UM-1) institution in Myanmar to develop blended diploma and master’s
degree programs in research ethics. We will pursue an innovative approach to curricular design that will 1)
draw upon several sources to include the learners, the subject matter specialists, and the values of society,
and 2) use a continuous improvement model for curriculum change and improvement. Sustainability will be
ensured by continuous collaboration between the institutions involved in this process and th...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9928522
- **Project number:** 5R25TW010516-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Bebe Loff
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $242,656
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-06-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9928522

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9928522, Developing a Master's Degree Program in Research Ethics in Myanmar (5R25TW010516-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9928522. Licensed CC0.

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