Members of the Catholic University of Malawi Research Ethics Committee (CUNIMAREC) this week have visited the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) to learn from the experience of the MUBAS Research Ethics Committee (MUBASREC) in managing and overseeing research ethics review processes. The visit aimed to strengthen CUNIMAREC’s institutional capacity and operational readiness as it takes steps towards becoming fully operational following its recent approval. CUNIMA Centre for Research and Publications Manager, Sainala Kalebe, described the engagement as an eye-opener, emphasising the value of learning from institutions with established experience in research ethics review. “Since we recently received approval for our Research Ethics Committee and have not been very active in its operations, we thought of engaging MUBASREC to learn from their experience. They have come a long way in managing their committee, and we believe sharing experiences will help us understand how best to run ours,” said Kalebe. MUBASREC Acting Chairperson, Dr Peter Mathews Mhagama, welcomed the visit, commending CUNIMA for seeking to learn from the committee’s experience. “We are happy that they came to learn from us. However, this does not mean that we are the best, but rather that they trust us because of the experience we have gained over the years,” said Mhagama. During the engagement, MUBASREC members shared practical insights into key areas of committee management, including research protocol submission and review procedures, the distinction between academic and scientific assessments and ethical review, as well as the management of conflicts of interest and the protection of confidential information. The discussions provided CUNIMAREC members with an opportunity to gain practical knowledge, exchange experiences and explore best practices that could inform the development of effective and efficient operational procedures. The engagement marks an important step in CUNIMA’s efforts to strengthen research governance, promote ethical research practices and build institutional capacity to support credible, responsible and high-quality research. As the University advances its research and publication agenda, initiatives such as this are expected to contribute to the development of robust research ethics oversight and a stronger culture of ethical research among its academic community.