The Durban University of Technology recently participated in the inaugural SANBRIS Symposium, hosted at the University of Cape Town. The gathering brought together leading researchers, journal editors, publishers, and representatives from national and continental research integrity bodies, all united in advancing a national culture of responsible research. Those present Included the National Health Research Ethics Committee.
This symposium served as a strategic forum to rethink how institutions cultivate integrity not as a regulatory obligation, but as a deeply embedded academic value.
Attendees from DUT were Dr Itumeleng Maome, Dr Khosi Mpofana and Ms Bongeka Maphumulo and Ms Nomazulu Singata. The attendees gave an overview of the conference citing that the discussions were about research integrity as a culture, trust, mentorship, accountability, and ethical leadership. The second noteworthy discussion form the conference highlighted on contemporary ethical challenges. DUT participants enjoyed listening to experts who unpacked current issues such as authorship disputes, responsible student supervision, AI in research, POPIA compliance, and the philosophical foundations of academic virtue. A significant discussion point revolved around contemporary ethical challenges.
Ateendees at the symposium reflected on the role of ethical leadership in building restorative and resilient research cultures within universities. The SANBRIS Symposium reaffirmed DUT’s commitment to leading in ethical research governance. With a renewed focus on training, systems development, and strategic partnerships,
Ms Maphumulo highlighted the importance of institutionalising integrity through structural reforms, capacity building, and collaborative partnerships ensuring that ethical scholarship becomes a lived reality that enhances the credibility, quality, and impact of research across disciplines. Ms Singata mentioned that the symposium reinforced the understanding of integrity as a value-driven practice rooted in trust, virtue ethics, and transparency, rather than mere procedural compliance.
Dr Maome also emphasised the importance of institutional champions for research integrity in strengthening a culture of honesty, responsibility and accountability in research within higher education institutions.
Dr Khoza, shared his takeaway which was on the critical importance of ensuring informed consent, maintaining confidentiality, and implementing responsible data management practices. These elements were highlighted not only as ethical obligations but as foundational pillars of trust between researchers and participants.
Professor Pfano Mashau also commented on the delegates vital role of attending such a symposium, saying that DUT must attend more impactful and purposeful events to build a greater network of partners and sources of knowledge. “I believe that DUT is on the right path to research excellence that is guided by DUT’s lived values as outlined by ENVISION2030. Integrity at DUT is a simple symbolism that DUT researchers do the right thing even when no one is watching. An ethical culture is a gateway to addressing the country’s problems correctly and a restoration of faith in universities’ role in society.”
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