On February 15, 2024, the Institute of Statistical Research and Training (ISRT), in coordination with the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), organized a field trip at the latter’s Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) site, Matlab, Chandpur. The fourth-year undergraduate students of Applied Statistics took part in the excursion which was an important component of their “Research Methodology and Social Statistics” course. A small group of ISRT faculty members led by Professor Dr. Md. Israt Rayhan accompanied the students in the trip.

The purpose of the trip was to offer students practical exposure to field work operations and first-hand data collection experiences. The visitors were first briefed about a short history of iccddr,b which included how its data-collection tools evolved from simple paper-based questionnaire to the latest tablet based applications. They were then taken to households where field supervisors of iccddr,b demonstrated in real-time how new data ranging from demographic and socio-economic conditions to sensitive health related information e.g., pregnancy, abortion and child loss are recorded using state of the art smart tools.

The field trip to icddr,b Chandpur was an enlightening experience for all the participants. ISRT cordially thanks the iccddr,b team for collaborating and offering this rich learning opportunity to students.

[Written based on a report prepared by K. M. Tanvir, Lecturer at ISRT and a participant of the field trip]