Following overwhelmingly positive feedback from IMU University researchers’ earlier participation, a new group of researchers joined the Young Scientists Network–Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM) Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Programme held in October 2025. This national initiative, organised in collaboration with the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT), brought together about 40 researchers from various fields including public universities, private universities, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) to strengthen research integrity and ethical awareness in science.
Under the guidance of Prof Ts Dr Mai Chun Wai, Chairperson of YSN-ASM and Acting Deputy Director (Research Strategy and Innovation), Institute for Research, Development, and Innovation (IRDI), IMU University, the YSN-ASM Science Integrity Strategic Committee members implemented the delivery of the programme. Grounded in the Malaysian Educational Module on Responsible Conduct of Research, the key topics on research ethics and integrity such as research misconduct, publication ethics, research data management, and mentor–mentee relationships were delivered through a variety of active learning methods, including role-play, group discussion, case studies, and debate. The participants engaged actively in discussions, shared experiences from their own institutions, and explored practical ways to uphold research integrity in their daily work.
Reflections from IMU University Participants
Dr Wong Ting Xuan
Lecturer, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Division, School of Health Sciences & IMU Alumna of PhD in Medical and Health Sciences & Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Dietetics with Nutrition
Research integrity is a choice that creates ripples
It is a choice that, once made, stays with us and reaches far beyond our own work. Choosing integrity inspires others to do the same, nurturing a culture of trust, accountability, and respect in research. But when integrity is compromised, the ripple moves in the opposite direction; eroding not only the credibility of our work but also the spirit of the team.
Integrity defines who we are as researchers. Our work may be questioned, revised, or even taken without proper credit, but I’ve learned that it’s okay. What truly matters is the authenticity of our effort and the honesty behind our process. A true creator can always create again; what’s built with integrity can be rebuilt, refined, or reimagined. The RCR Programme reminded me that integrity is about consciously choosing honesty and trust in science, even when no one is watching.
Dr Megan Chong Hueh Zan
Senior Lecturer, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Division, School of Health Sciences
Science with Integrity
The Young Scientists Network–Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM) Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Programme was an insightful and engaging experience that deepened my understanding of research ethics and integrity.
The interactive sessions encouraged open discussion and reflection on real-life ethical challenges faced by researchers. It was a great reminder that research integrity goes beyond compliance — it’s about building trust and accountability in science.
Dr Teoh Gaik Kin
Associate Dean, Academic and Quality, School of Psychology and Social Sciences
Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychology and Counselling
I am thankful for the opportunity and the government’s support that allowed me to attend the workshop. It gave me a space to reflect and to evaluate my own integrity in research. It also gives me hope to witness the younger generation’s enthusiasm towards Responsible Conduct of Research. I wish the will for integrity is not dismissed after the workshop ended, as the realities of research set in.
Particularly, integrity is most tested when there is no audience or when staying true to one’s values yields no reward. I truly hope to see one day, integrity is the basis of our research ecosystem, not just a mere slogan, which are driven and co-created from both top down and bottom-up forces.
Goh Lay Khim
Lecturer, Nursing, School of Health Sciences
A Shift in Perspective
Attending the recent workshop was an experience that left a deep impression on me—not just professionally, but personally.
Throughout the sessions, I was pushed to see things from angles I hadn’t considered before. It reminded me how important it is to recognize that everyone comes from different backgrounds, roles, and responsibilities—and that these differences shape how we approach decisions, conflicts, and communication. What may seem like a straightforward choice to one person might carry a very different weight for someone else.
One key realization for me was just how much our training and experiences influence the way we respond under pressure or when given instructions. I noticed things about myself—habits, assumptions, reactions—that I hadn’t questioned before. It was a humbling reminder that growth often starts with self-awareness.
More than anything, the workshop made space for reflection, conversation, and honest exploration. It created an environment where diverse perspectives could be shared openly and respectfully, and where learning happened not just through content, but through connection.
I genuinely walked away from this experience with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose. For anyone involved in research, education, or guiding others in any capacity, I believe experiences like this are not just helpful—they’re essential.
Muhamad Faizzuddin bin Mohd Razali
(Affiliation)
PhD candidate in Medical and Health Sciences & IMU Alumnus of MSc in Medical and Health Sciences & Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Chiropractic
First Chiropractor in RCR programme
Integrity Isn’t Just Rules—It’s Trust.
Honestly, when I saw “Responsible Conduct of Research” on the invitation, I thought, “Here we go—another compliance training.”
But spending the last day and a half in this RCR workshop has been a significant reminder that RCR isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about the soul of our work. It’s about building a science that the world can genuinely trust, starting with what I do at my own work.
Sng Kim Sia
(Affiliation)
Lecturer, Department of Chinese Medicine, School of Alternative and Complementary Medicine & IMU Alumnus of Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Chinese Medicine
First Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner in RCR programme
Where Integrity Meets Collaboration
Participating in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) workshop by the Young Scientists Network – Academy of Sciences Malaysia was both engaging and thought-provoking. The scenario-based learning and role plays challenged us to reflect deeply on real ethical dilemmas and the responsibilities we carry as researchers.
As a lecturer and practitioner in the field of Chinese Medicine, the experience reaffirmed that research goes beyond generating evidence — it is rooted in purpose, honesty, and accountability. Integrity gives meaning to our findings and builds trust in our science. Upholding these principles is essential, not only in our own work, but also in guiding and inspiring our students.
Collaboration, too, is a form of integrity. It reminds us that progress happens not in isolation, but through shared values, mutual respect, and collective purpose. We may each be experts in our own fields, but true innovation begins when disciplines come together.
IMU University’s continued participation in the YSN-ASM Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Programme underscores the institution’s unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of research excellence rooted in integrity and ethical responsibility. Insights gained from both cohorts have inspired renewed initiatives within the university, including plans to embed elements of RCR training into teaching and learning activities and to introduce courses that promote ethical research practices among the wider IMU research community.
These efforts align with IMU’s vision of producing researchers who not only advance scientific knowledge but also uphold the highest ethical standards in their work. As more IMU researchers take part in the RCR Programme, the “passing of the baton” continues, strengthening the collective responsibility to ensure that integrity remains at the heart of all research endeavours.
Article contributed by IMU University participants of the YSN-ASM Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Programme (October Series).
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