ISRT Students Visited icddr,b’s Matlab HDSS Site for Hands-On Training in Field Research on April 29, 2025
On April 29, 2025, the Institute of Statistical Research and Training (ISRT), in collaboration with the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), organized an educational field trip to icddr,b’s Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) site in Matlab, Chandpur. The visit was attended by fourth-year undergraduate students of Applied Statistics (Batch 27) as part of their Research Methodology and Social Statistics course curriculum.
The field trip aimed to provide students with hands-on experience in fieldwork operations and real-world data collection. During the visit, participants received an overview of icddr,b’s history, including the evolution of its data collection methods—from traditional paper-based questionnaires to modern tablet-based applications. Students then observed field supervisors conducting household surveys, demonstrating how demographic, socio-economic, and sensitive health data (such as pregnancy, abortion, and child loss records) are collected using advanced digital tools. Additionally, they gained practical insights into longitudinal data collection, data management, and quality control processes—key components of their Research Methodology coursework.
The trip was facilitated by ISRT faculty members, including Professor Dr. Md. Israt Rayhan, Ms. Tasnim Ara, Mr. Priom Saha, and Mr. Tarikul Islam. A total of 43 students and 4 faculty members participated in this immersive learning experience.
The visit to icddr,b’s Chandpur site proved highly enriching for all attendees. ISRT extends its sincere gratitude to the icddr,b team for their valuable collaboration and for providing students with this exceptional learning opportunity.