On January 29, 2026, 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 97 students, including third-year undergraduates in Applied Statistics and Data Science and fourth-year students in Applied Statistics.
The field trip aimed to provide students with practical experience in fieldwork operations and real-world data collection. Upon arrival, participants received an overview of icddr,b, including its mission and research activities. Students from both third and fourth years jointly presented an overview of ISRT. They 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.
Participants also visited the Barge, a former police prison vessel repurposed as a floating hospital and research laboratory. The students also visited the Matlab Hospital, which provides comprehensive healthcare tailored to the community’s needs, including outpatient and inpatient care, specialized management of diarrheal diseases, and maternal and child health services.
The trip was facilitated by ISRT faculty members, including Professor Dr. Md. Israt Rayhan, Ms. Tasnim Ara, Mr. Priom Saha, Mr. Tarikul Islam, and Mr. Md. Muhitul Alam. The visit offered students an enriching opportunity to connect theoretical coursework with hands-on field research.
Officials at icddr,b commended the visiting ISRT students, noting that they were exceptionally well-mannered, attentive, and outstanding in their engagement. The Institute of Statistical Research and Training extends its sincere gratitude to icddr,b for hosting its students and facilitating this enriching educational experience.
