March 06, 2016 – IROP for HIGO Program has been completed with a commendable presentation ceremony today held at the conference hall of Grameen Communications (GC). The program has been conducted by Global Communication Center (GCC) of GC in collaboration with Health life science: Interdisciplinary and Glocal Oriented (HIGO) Program of Kumamoto University, Japan. Seven Japanese students led by Prof. Satoshi Ishida have visited Bangladesh under the program and carried out their research activities in the areas of medical services of Bangladesh and Social Business of Grameen.

The participants have conducted their research activities including interactive interviews, discussion sessions, seminars and field visits to health service delivery peripheries and social business organizations throughout their eight days stay (February 28 – March 06, 2016). The field visits took place in Dhaka, Bogra and Tangail.

On the opening day, the team attended an Orientation Ceremony held at GC conference room. The members learnt about the project activities and got necessary information required to research in Bangladesh. After the session, the team had a brief meeting with Nobel Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus at Yunus Centre. Prof. Yunus shared his valuable thoughts and message about what he expects the young people to do. Afterwards, the team visited Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing and observed their learning facilities. On the other part of the day, the participants attended a workshop on “Social Business” conducted by Yunus Centre. The next day, the team had a visit to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital as a public medical facility of Bangladesh. Afterwards, they attended a seminar at Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Dhaka over which the members exchanged their activities and future collaboration prospects. The team moved for village research on the next day.

On the way to Bogra, the team visited the cultivation farms of the members of Grameen Fishery & Livestock Foundation. Later they visited the medical services of Grameen GC Eye Hospital and production facilities of Grameen Danone Foods in Bogra. On the next day the team went to see the activities of Grameen Shakti at Sherpur Regional Office. There they observed the Solar Home Systems and Bio-gas projects of Grameen Shakti and met with the village clients. Afterwards, they visited the Grameen Kalyan Health Clinic at Sirajganj. On the final day of village trip, the team visited a Center Office of Grameen Bank in Kalihati, Tangail and observed their activities over interaction with borrowers at the center meeting. They also observed the GramHealth health checkup service provided by the GramCar: Social Services on Wheels projects of GCC. After coming back from the village trip, the team experienced visits to the historical places of Dhaka.

The production facility of one of the leading pharmaceuticals companies of Bangladesh, the Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd was visited by the team on the seventh day. On the final day, the presentation ceremony commenced with a welcome note from Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam Maruf (Consultant, GCC). Afterwards, the participants presented the social issues they worked on and their proposition for solution. Later on, Ms. Nazneen Sultana (Managing Director, GC) and Prof. Satoshi Ishida shared their valuable comments on the program and activities. Finally, a certificate of participation was handed over to each of the participants with the presence of GC-GCC officials.