FRONTIERS Projects | Developing Operations Research (OR) Capacity in South Asia

FRONTIERS PROJECT
Developing Operations Research (OR) Capacity in South Asia

This project sought to create a self-sustaining regional operations research (OR) training and research center at the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) in Mumbai, India. The project used a training-of-trainers approach to build IIPS capacity in OR. Over the course of two years, the project conducted four training activities including OR workshops lasting from two to ten days for researchers and program managers, and a four-day course on scientific writing. Trainees subsequently conducted nine OR studies and wrote 12 articles that were published in national and international peer-reviewed journals.

IIPS is now offering a 20-hour course as part of its master’s degree program in population sciences. In a multiplier effect, three additional Indian organizations have added OR to their activities. The Medical College of Ahmedabad is now including OR in its curriculum, and the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (New Delhi) has introduced material on OR for MD-level students. The Centre for Operations Research and Training in Vadodara has added courses in OR and scientific writing to its curriculum.

Location

India

Duration

October 2003–September 2006

Population Council researchers

M.E. Khan, James Foreit

Non-Council collaborator

International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

Donor

US Agency for International Development

Publications/Resources
Council researchers' names appear in boldface type.

2007
Khan, M.E., Jim Foreit, Sohini Roychowdhury, F. Ram, and Chander Shekhar. "Developing regional operations research training capacity in South Asia," FRONTIERS Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council. (PDF, 619 KB)