HKAGDP Advanced Research Prorgam
Systematic Review Research & Training Program
This program is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students who wish to develop advanced skills in conducting, writing, and publishing systematic reviews. The institution specializes exclusively in systematic review research, focusing on secondary analysis of existing literature rather than primary data collection.
Students enrolled in this program will receive structured training, mentorship, and the opportunity to participate in systematic review projects that may be submitted for publication in reputable academic journals.
Program Overview
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Students accepted into the program will:
Provide comprehensive training in systematic review methodology.
Equip students with skills in database searching, screening, data extraction, and appraisal.
Train students to write publication-ready manuscripts that meet international journal standards.
Support collaborative research projects between students, faculty, and industry partners.
Foster academic integrity and evidence-based analytical thinking.
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The program aims to:
Attend structured lectures on systematic review methods (PRISMA, PICOS, risk of bias tools, etc.).
Participate in hands-on workshops using major research databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science).
Engage in supervised systematic review projects, either individually or as part of a research team.
Work toward producing a manuscript suitable for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
Present research findings during institutional seminars or academic events.
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The institution supports active publication through:
Editorial guidance from experienced supervisors.
Peer-review preparation workshops.
Assistance with journal selection, formatting, and submission requirements.
Opportunities to co-author reviews with fellow students or academic mentors.
Note: Publication is subject to journal acceptance and adherence to required academic standards.
Learning Goals
The program aims to:
Attend structured lectures on systematic review methods (PRISMA, PICOS, risk of bias tools, etc.).
Participate in hands-on workshops using major research databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science).
Engage in supervised systematic review projects, either individually or as part of a research team.
Work toward producing a manuscript suitable for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
Present research findings during institutional seminars or academic events.
Application Document Requirement
Applicants are required to submit the following documents as part of the application process:
Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A current and complete resume outlining your education, work experience, skills, and achievements.Academic Transcript
Your official academic results or transcript from your most recent institution.Proof of English Proficiency (B2 Level) – Most Recent 2 Years
Acceptable documents include certificates or test results that verify you have achieved at least a B2 level in English within the last two years (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English, or equivalent).
Interview Expectations
Candidates will be assessed on:
Motivation to engage in research and publication
Understanding of academic commitment
Communication and analytical skills
Professional attitude and readiness for independent learning
Only applicants who meet academic standards and perform satisfactorily in the interview will be admitted.
Estimated Schedule - Brief View
Interviewed and successfully met all application requirements.
Online courses on every Sunday
(3 - 4 sessions per month on average)
Prestart
Orientation & Foundations
Program orientation and expectations
Introduction to systematic reviews
Understanding research questions (PICO/PICOS)
Overview of PRISMA guidelines
Basics of academic writing
Familiarization with databases and search strategies
Month 1 - 2
Protocol Development
Designing a systematic review protocol
Registering a protocol (e.g., PROSPERO) — optional
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Search strategy development
Hands-on training in database searching
Finalization of student/group research topics
Month 3 - 4
Literature Search & Screening
Performing the full literature search
Using screening tools (e.g., Rayyan)
Title & abstract screening
Full-text screening
Documentation for PRISMA flow diagram
Weekly supervisor check-ins
Month 5 - 6
Data Extraction & Quality Appraisal
Data extraction methods
Creating data extraction forms
Critical appraisal using tools such as:
CASP
Cochrane RoB
JBI Checklists
Risk-of-bias assessments
Organizing extracted data for synthesis
Month 7 - 8
Data Synthesis & Writing
Qualitative synthesis
Introduction to meta-analysis (if applicable)
Structuring the manuscript (IMRAD format)
Writing results and discussion sections
Referencing and citation management (EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero)
Month 9 -10
Finalization & Publication Preparation
Final proofreading and supervisor review
Preparing tables, figures, and PRISMA diagrams
Selection of suitable peer-reviewed journals
Formatting according to journal guidelines
Manuscript submission
Presentation of final research in an internal seminar
Month 11 - 12
Continuous Requirements
Monthly progress reviews
Supervisor feedback sessions
Independent reading and writing tasks
Post-Program
May subject to changes
Application close on
28th Feburary, 2026
Who can apply this program?
Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Applicants are expected to hold or be in the process of enrolling in a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or an equivalent degree.
Language Requirement: B2 Level
Applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum English proficiency of B2 level (Upper-Intermediate) according to the CEFR standard.
Outstanding Academic Record
Applicants are expected to have a good academic record, which will be considered during the shortlisting process for interviews.
Additional requirements may apply depending on intake.
Application Forum
Applicants will need to subscribe to the program in their account in order to register their data and receive the latest information regarding the application.