The SSS-AIU PG Residency Research Program will operate around six major research priorities.

Priority 1 — Clinical Research

Research addressing diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, complications and outcomes of diseases commonly encountered in clinical practice.

Priority 2 — Public Health & Epidemiology

Studies examining disease burden, risk factors, prevention, screening, health behavior and population health.

Priority 3 — Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety

Research evaluating quality of care, patient safety, healthcare accessibility and clinical practice improvement.

Priority 4 — Medical Education

Research involving clinical education, assessment, teaching methodologies, simulation, competency development and postgraduate medical education.

Priority 5 — Innovation & Digital Health

Research involving digital health, artificial intelligence, telemedicine, health information systems and innovative approaches to healthcare.

Priority 6 — Local and Regional Health Challenges

Research addressing health problems particularly relevant to the Kyrgyz Republic and Central Asian region.

Before a project is accepted into the program, it should satisfy the following criteria.

A. Scientific Criteria

The proposal should clearly define:

• Research title

• Background and rationale

• Research problem

• Research question

• Aim

• Specific objectives

• Hypothesis, where applicable

• Study design

• Study population

• Inclusion criteria

• Exclusion criteria

• Sample-size justification

• Variables and outcomes

• Data-collection methodology

• Statistical analysis plan

• Expected results

• Limitations

• References

B. Ethical Criteria

Research involving human participants must undergo the appropriate ethics review/approval process before participant recruitment or collection of identifiable research data, as required by applicable institutional and Kyrgyz Republic requirements.

Researchers must address:

• Informed consent

• Voluntary participation

• Right to withdraw

• Confidentiality

• Privacy

• Potential risks

• Potential benefits

• Protection of vulnerable participants

• Data security

• Conflict of interest

• Compensation/reimbursement, if applicable

WHO considers protection of participant dignity, rights and welfare central to ethical research and recommends ethics committee review for research involving human beings. 

Important: SSS-AIU should not independently grant “ethical approval” unless it is formally authorized to do so. SSS-AIU may conduct academic/scientific screening and mentorship, while the responsible university/institutional or competent ethics body provides the required ethical review.

The SSS-AIU PG Residency Research Program is designed with reference to:

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO research-ethics guidance emphasizes protection of participants, appropriate ethics review, informed consent, confidentiality, scientific validity and responsible research conduct. 

WHO — Ethical standards and procedures for research with human beings⁠

WHO — Standards and operational guidance for ethics review of health-related research⁠

International Ethical Guidelines

Where applicable, research should also take into consideration internationally recognized ethical principles, including the Declaration of Helsinki and CIOMS International Ethical Guidelines for Health-related Research Involving Humans, as referenced by WHO. 

Kyrgyz Republic

Research conducted in Kyrgyzstan must comply with applicable legislation and institutional requirements of the Kyrgyz Republic, including the current Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 14 of 12 January 2024 “On Protection of Citizens’ Health in the Kyrgyz Republic”, together with applicable amendments and other relevant regulatory requirements. 

Kyrgyz Republic Legal Information Database — Law No. 14 “On Protection of Citizens' Health”⁠

SSS-AIU is committed to promoting responsible, ethical and scientifically rigorous research. Research involving human participants must receive the appropriate ethics review and institutional/regulatory approvals before commencement, where required. Participation must be voluntary, informed and free from undue influence. The privacy, confidentiality, safety, dignity and rights of participants must be protected throughout the research process.

SSS-AIU research activities are educational and academic in nature and do not replace the formal responsibilities of the university, healthcare institution, research ethics committee, or competent authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic.

• Research methodology orientation

• Research-question development

• Literature-search training

• Protocol-development guidance

• Scientific writing support

• Questionnaire-development guidance

• Data-management guidance

• Basic statistical support

• Abstract preparation

• Poster preparation

• Scientific presentation training

• Manuscript preparation

• Journal-selection guidance

• Research-progress monitoring

• Opportunities for scientific conferences and presentations