Makassar, July 2025 — The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar hosted an international webinar/workshop titled “Update on International Guidelines and Its Implications on Ethics Committee Performance” on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The event, held virtually via Zoom Meeting, was part of a series of activities related to the Recognition process by the Forum for Ethical Review Committees in Asia and the Western Pacific (FERCAP) for the Health Research Ethics Committee (KEPK) of FKIK Unismuh.

The webinar featured three distinguished speakers with international reputations in health research ethics: Prof. Cristina E. Torres, Ph.D (FERCAP Coordinator), Edlyn B. Jimenez (FERCAP), and Prof. Dr. dr. Suryani As’ad, Sp.GK(K), who also serves as Dean of FKIK Unismuh Makassar. The speakers presented comprehensive materials on the latest developments in international ethical guidelines, the implications of FERCAP criteria for ethics committee recognition, new models of informed consent, understanding research participants through the Informed Consent Form (ICF), as well as case studies and group discussions.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Dr. dr. Suryani As’ad, Sp.GK(K) stated that the event was part of a strategic effort to build a more professional and globally recognized system of ethical governance. “We aim to ensure that every research process at Unismuh upholds the protection of the rights, dignity, and well-being of research subjects,” she affirmed.

Meanwhile, the Chair of the Forum for Indonesian Research Ethics Committees (FIRREC), Prof. drg. Anton Rahardjo, M.Sc(PH), Ph.D, expressed his high appreciation for FKIK Unismuh’s participation in the FERCAP Recognition process. He viewed the event as a concrete demonstration of the seriousness of Indonesian higher education institutions in improving research ethics quality on an international scale.

During the webinar, participants from various institutions—including ethics committee members, lecturers, researchers, and postgraduate students—showed great enthusiasm during the discussion sessions. Critical and reflective questions were raised, particularly regarding the application of updated ethical principles in the context of research practice in Indonesia. These active interactions enriched the forum and created opportunities for inter-institutional collaboration in strengthening responsible research ethics practices.

This webinar marked an important step in expanding the network of research ethics and supporting the official recognition process by FERCAP for the FKIK Unismuh Ethics Committee.