icddr,b aims to harness the power of high-quality research to address the health problems of Bangladesh, the region and the developing world more generally. For more than 50 years, icddr,b has been a beacon of high-quality research in South Asia. It has led research that has saved millions of lives (see timeline/box). From its origins as a centre specialising in diarrhoeal diseases, it is now an internationally recognised centre of excellence across a wide range of conditions. icddr,b’s work is guided by a number of key principles:
High-quality science: icddr,b is committed to scientific excellence, and disseminating information through the scientific literature including high-impact journals. Local relevance: The questions icddr,b addresses are important priorities for Bangladesh and regionally. Policy-oriented research: To achieve practical impact, our research has a strong focus on the realities of implementation in resource-poor settings. Global networking: icddr,b has outstanding links to world-leading research centres in the developed world, enabling us to access unmatched global knowledge and expertise. Regional and global impact: As well as enhancing public health and clinical care in Bangladesh, we also aim to work with other centres in the developing world to build knowledge and promote the uptake of evidence-based policy and practice. Training and capacity-building: We make an important contribution to the regional science base, training of local healthcare professionals, and to research and public health capacity in the developing world more generally. icddr,b has established a comprehensive programme of research, with particular strengths in infectious disease and vaccinology, reproductive health, neonatal and child health, malnutrition and food security, and other areas. Our scientific workforce comprising of nearly 200 scientifically trained staff is organised into ten Centres focusing on key health issues. Underpinning the programmes is an extensive research infrastructure that enables us to undertake a full spectrum of research – spanning population-based studies and demographic surveillance, large-scale clinical trials, hospital-based clinical studies, and laboratory research utilising the very latest technologies. This unique combination of scientific expertise and research infrastructure enables us to address key health issues from multiple directions, and to carry out the interdisciplinary studies that will be required to address the most intractable health challenges that Bangladesh and other developing countries now facing.
TECHNICAL TRAINING UNIT: hub for quality training and education
Since 1978, the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) has been pursuing three mandates: research, training and humanitarian services (including clinical services at its hospitals). Technical Training Unit (TTU) at icddr,b works in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Its main purpose is to offer education and training services in the areas of icddr,b’s competence to Bangladeshi and other nationals, and the stakeholders including governments, NGOs, universities and industries. The main objectives, among others, include: increasing capacity to conduct research; increasing capabilities to manage public health programs including communicable and non-communicable diseases, and improving response to new and emerging issues in health, nutrition and population. Our education and training programs take blended innovative approach to develop and meet public health skills, laboratory skills, clinical skills, emerging (such as combating chronic diseases, climate, urbanization and environmental health) and re-emerging (TB and Malaria etc.) icddr,b's training footprints have spread over all continents globally with more than 40,000 trainees who include among others, researchers, policymakers, public health leaders and managers, health care providers (including physicians, nurses and laboratory personnel), master trainers and trainers, faculties and students etc. Currently, with five divisions* within the re-structured icddr,b, we are witnessing enormous growth, diversity and development of expertise and resources that could be made available widely at home and globally with innovative teaching and learning approaches including Distance Learning and e-Learning. To this end, TTU is open to work in collaboration and partnership with universities/institutions/industries and Donors to deliver training and support to research and academic courses including Masters and PhDs.
* Health Systems and Population Studies Division
Nutrition and Clinical Services Division
Infectious Diseases Division
Maternal and Child Health Division
Laboratory Sciences and Services Division
