232 Ethics in Higher Education: Values-driven Leaders for the Future
must be further developed. This has been regarded as an integral part of
research capacity-building for an institution (ESSENCE on Health
Research, 2014; Hyder et al., 2013). As a part of research governance
and support, it is necessary for teaching institutions to establish a
research ethics system and tackle a wide range of challenges in this area.
This paper presents the experience of a teaching university in Hong
Kong in building up a research ethics system while developing its
research capacity. It also discusses the emerging issues in research ethics
- such as the complexities and tensions between surveillance and
privacy, and between transparency and anonymity – that have arisen
from advances in research and research methods, and relevant initiatives
proposed to address them.
13.2 Research Capacity Development of a Teaching
University
The Open University of Hong Kong, which has been a teaching
institution since its establishment in 1989, provides flexible education
for the diverse needs of students. In the past, our academic staff mainly
carried out teaching and administrative duties. After two decades of
development, the university has been expanded to provide a wide range
of teaching programmes. It also supports engagement in research with
the aim of progressively developing its research capacity, in order to
transform its teaching expertise into research strengths in disciplines
which are highly relevant to the livelihood and economic development
of the city. It has achieved significant progress in building up a vibrant
research culture and success in obtaining research funding.
In support of the university’s endeavours in this regard, relevant
preparation has been made for ensuring that research studies are
conducted by academics in ethical ways. This paper reviews the major
tasks involved in building up a research ethics system.