Dear University Community,
Please be advised that effective 17th September 2026, the IREC will officially discontinue the Undergraduate Bulk Ethics approval application process. Moving forward, there will be no bulk applications for IREC application.
Why the Change?
This change aligns with recent upgrades to our REBS System, which are designed to enhance research compliance, improve project tracking, and provide better support for student researchers. The REBS System is now optimized for individual project lifecycles. Moving to individual submissions ensures that each student’s research has a clear audit trail, makes future amendments easier to process, and allows direct communication between the ethics reviewers and the investigators within the platform.
What This Means Moving Forward
To accommodate this system update, please note the following procedural changes:
- Individual Submissions: All undergraduate research projects must now have an individual ethics application submitted in the REBS System. These applications may be initiated and submitted by either the student or their supervisor.
- Processing Timelines: Please factor in the following timelines for the individual ethics review process in REBS when planning research schedules:
- 20 working days for Exempted or Expedited reviews.
- 60 working days for Full Board reviews.
- Note: The category of review will be assigned by IREC based on the specifics of each case.
Transition Period for Current Applications
- Pending Bulk Applications: Any bulk ethics applications that have already been formally submitted to IREC prior to 17th September 2026 will be reviewed and processed normally.
Resources and Support
We recognize this is a shift in how faculty and students interact with the REBS System. To assist with this transition, we have updated our guidelines and submission information, which can be accessed here: https://research.iium.edu.my/irec/?page_id=2769
If you experience any technical issues with the REBS System or have questions about the new workflow, please contact the REBS Support Team at irec@live.iium.edu.my.
Thank you for your cooperation and your continued commitment to research integrity.
Sincerely,
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