The National Bioethics Committee organized a panel discussion on “Ethics in Research and Publication”, under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Ali bin Saud Al- Bimani, Vice Chancellor of SQU and President of the National Bioethics Committee on 21 Oct 2018. The panel discussion was aimed at disseminating knowledge about ethics in research and publication, the rights and duties of researchers. It also discussed the national document draft prepared by the Committee under the name ethics in research and publication. A number of experts from different private and public institutions participated at the panel discussion.

At the opening ceremony, H.E. Dr. Ali bin Saud Al- Bimani delivered a welcome speech. Thereafter, the committee reviewed the national draft of ethics in research and publication. Sheikh Dr. Kahlan bin Nabhan Al-Kharousi, Assistant Grand Mufti of the Sultanate and Deputy President of the Committee gave a lecture on the Islamic perspective of ethics in research and publication. Dr. Ali Al Mamari, representative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, presented a special lecture about the Royal Decree No. 65 / 2008 on copyright and related rights and the executive regulations prepared by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.Experts from Sultan Qaboos University and private universities and colleges also participated in the panel discussion by presenting valuable lectures. Dr. Rahma Al-Mahrooqi, Deputy Vice chancellor of Postgraduate Studies and Research, SQU, presented a lecture on student and supervisor rights in publishing and she reviewed the experience of Sultan Qaboos University in this field. Prof. Lamk Al Lamaki from Sultan Qaboos University gave a lecture about authorship and order of authors in scientific publishing.Dr. Asyah Al-Bualy from the Scientific Research Council presented a lecture titled “Unrealistic Claims in Scientific Publishing". Prof. Yahya Al-Farisi from Sultan Qaboos University presented his lecture on Misconduct in Publication. Dr. Robert McMullen from Sultan Qaboos University reviewed the programs of Plagiarism.

The panel discussion was also attended by representatives from private universities. Nizwa University participated by a lecture presented by Dr. Shyam Sundar entitled “Duplicate Publication & Conflict of Interest." Dr. Saleh Al Shaibany, Journalist and Lecturer at the Modern College of Science and Business, gave a lecture on the Ethics of News Editing and Reporting. The lectures included discussions in which the audience participated effectively. At the end of the panel discussion, attendees’ observations regarding the national document draft for the scientific research publishing were received to be updated and submitted to the competent authorities for accreditation.