Ethics relies on determining right and judicious activities and guided by moral principles existing in society. It is guided by the concept of human and animal right, social and professional responsibilities, and beyond. In social and biological researches, it is concerned with the activities proposed in the research is ethical or not. It is primarily concerned with safeguarding the interest of researchers and aims to promote their rights, dignity, values, and responsibilities. To address these issues, the SAHAVAGI has developed Institutional Review Board (IRB) and its guidelines.

SAHAVAGI-IRB is charged with the responsibility of reviewing, prior to its initiation, all research (whether funded or not) involving human and animal subjects. The role of SAHAVAGI-IRB is to protect the dignity, rights, safety and well-being of all actual or potential research participants who are serving as the subjects of that research and ensure that animals if used for research, are treated humanely. SAHAVAGI-IRB has the authority to approve, disapprove, monitor, and require modifications in all research activities that fall within its jurisdiction.

SAHAVAGI-IRB EC comprises of one chairperson with at least 7 members. EC composition represents multidisciplinary team of various academic background. SAHAVAGI IRB has its own office, documentation and archiving unit, administration and fund management system.

Any researchers, who want to do study/data collection/research in/behalf of/collaboration with SAHAVAGI, must get ethical clearance from SAHAVAGI-IRB. Collaborating partners getting ethical approval from other external or their own internal review boards are exempted from this provision. However they must submit the copy of evidence of ethical approval.

Current SAHAVAGI-IRB Executive Committee

Chairperson: Dr. Ek Narayan Poudel, (PhD Humanities)

Member secretary: Mr. Saroj Raj Poudel (M.Sc Forestry)

Members:

• Mr. RamhariTimilsina (M.Sc Agriculture extension)
• Mrs. Mina KumariKharel (MA Sociology)
• Dr. Susan Acharya (PhD Education)
• Dr. RajaniMalla (PhD Public health)
• MRs SitaDahal (Bachelors in Business studies)
• Mr. Ram Krishna Ghimire (B.SC. Agriculture)