The Fourth Group Training Course in Modules on Fundamental Official Statistics has been completed all of its 6 months training programme. The Closing Ceremony was conduced on Friday, 13 March at the Institute in Chiba, Japan, with the presence of representatives of diplomatic communities, supporting ministries of the Government of Japan, including Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and another organizations including Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO). 19 participants from 15 countries, not only from Asia Pacific region but from several African countries, have successfully completed their programme.

During the training at SIAP, participants learned mountain of subjects on official statistics from statistical methods, computer software, economic statistics including 1993SNA, social and demographic statistics, to MDG indicators. Along with these class works, participants conducted two different types of experimental sample surveys, as their project work, targeting their colleague JICA fellowship participants who were staying at the same dormitory of JICA Tokyo International Center (TIC). They implemented the whole stages of statistical production in conducting these “mini” surveys from planning and organization stage, sampling frame, questionnaire design, data collection, data check, data editing, tabulation, analysis, to compilation of final report. Each participant was allocated specific roles in the survey teams under the coordination of general manager who was also elected from the participants. At the presentation session, all the participants presented the results of their work and what they learned from their experiences. They not only came up with the result successfully, but also realized difficulties and learned how to tackle with the difficulties they faced during the survey implementation.

Participants were also requested to draw up their action plan to be implemented after returning to their countries. This is a unique programme of SIAP training which is designed to train trainers. Participants are expected to disseminate their knowledge and skills to their country colleagues widely and effectively. Toward the end of the course, a presentation session was arranged for their developed action plans. Their original ideas were incorporated into their plans. Participants are asked to report to SIAP on their implementation, in their progress reports within three months and in their final reports within six months.

Their performance was tremendous but several of them were outstanding. This year’s Raymond T. Bowman Prize, the prize awarded to the best participant for his/her performance in class work and group activities, went to Mr. Manoj Kumar Mishra from India.

Toward the end of the ceremony, Mr. Md. Dilder Hossain from Bangladesh delivered a farewell speech on behalf of all the participants. He left the audience　 strong determination of the participants as well as high appreciation to SIAP by saying, “We regard SIAP as the ‘storehouse of knowledge.’ If any trainee intends to gain, he/she can definitely do so immensely from SIAP. It is the institute of exploration and attainment from which one can not only learn but also apply the knowledge in the practical field by actively participating in ‘Project Work’ , the remarkable way of learning, which has paved our knowledge for the long life. It is the founder of official statistics in our life which has contributed beyond the dream. We believe that the lessons we learnt will lift us at the peak of success. We are firmly determined that we will utilize this knowledge at the utmost level for the development of our country”. He also expressed his gratitude for having been given the opportunity being trained in Japan by saying, “We will never forget Japan, where we have experienced friendship, sincerity, honesty, incredible advancement and use of technology in every aspect of human life, and the extreme commitment to the environment. These experiences will definitely help us to promote our countries”.