Saturday, December 31, 2011

Nursing Practice Lab opens at IUBAT

As part of on-going campus development at IUBAT, the College of Nursing now has new laboratory space. Keeping teaching materials clean and protected from insects, dust and humidity will be much easier with curtains, air-conditioning and running water in the new facility. In addition to practicing bedside care, the lab is also suitable for microbiology experiments. The university has provided modern furniture, and we are now fund-raising to replace our aging demonstration mannequins.  Your donations are always welcome. Our only program expenses in Canada are for book-keeping; there are no overhead charges. Most money raised is spent in Bangladesh to operate the volunteers’ guest-house and to pay for educational supplies and services, and a few scholarships. You can find our 2011 annual report, financial statement and a donation form on the website www.bangladeshhealthproject.com .

 

 

IUBAT Convocation in the media

With the first batches of BSN graduates officially recognized, Convocation 2011 was the culminating event of a busy year for our project. The popular national newspaper, The Daily Star published a colourful supplement on Convocation Day and also reported on the event the following day http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=215159  . Another popular national daily, The Independent, produced pictorial coverage on the following day http://www.theindependentdigital.com/index.php?opt=view&page=32&date=2011-12-27. This is the source for the photo of Dr. Karen Lund, Chair of Health Sciences, receiving an award from the presiding Minister, Dr. Hasan Mahmud. The IUBAT website has more at www.iubat.edu.

 

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Thanks to our 2011 volunteers!

We are grateful to many people who have helped the Bangladesh Health Project this year: In Canada, we thank Mid Main Community Health Centre, especially Directors Deirdre Evans and John Richards and Executive Director Irene Clarence (check out the new website at www.midmain.net ). Christina Paone (www.paonecreative.com ) designs our website and communications. VCC faculty, Kathy Fukuyama, Susan McNeill and VCC students raised funds to support their classmates’ inaugural visit to IUBAT. Melodie Hull, Tracy Lee, Rabiya Merani, Mohammed Morshed and Susie Wai supported various activities. Library staff at the College of Registered Nurses of BC passed along surplus books. In Bangladesh, visiting faculty during 2011  included Murad Bakht, Alex Berland, Moira Cameron, Monique de Groot, Dan Hawkins,   JoAnn Leavey, Karen Lund (shown in this photo), Andrea Marrie,  Gillian McKay, Susan McNeill, Sonie Meyer, Judi Morton, Linda Rollins, John Ringhisen, Ray Scott, Sam Simpson and Permjit Soomal. We appreciate their dedication.

 

 

 

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Convocation for IUBAT graduates

In Bangladesh, university convocations are a special event, held only when the country’s president accepts an invitation to preside. On December 21st 2011, IUBAT conducted its third convocation in twenty years as a university.  The President was unwell, so Dr Hasan Mahmud, a senior government minister, conferred degrees on all IUBAT graduates including those from the College of Nursing. A former professor himself, Dr Hasan noted the contribution of IUBAT’s Centre for Policy Research, which is led by Bangladesh Health Project Director, John Richards. We were especially proud that Bimala Rai (BSN 2009) was chosen from among the eight hundred graduates to be Valedictorian for this event. Read more about the 3rd IUBAT Convocation at http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=215159

 

 

Friday, December 16, 2011

What do we do as volunteer faculty?

We try to connect prospective volunteers with people who have visited IUBAT previously. US nurse-midwife, Sally Sando taught at IUBAT in 2010. Answering a question from another nurse, she says, “I think that we provide so much for the students as role models and mentors. I taught 3rd year students so they were ready to take on their professional role.  I supported them in that, trying to find experiences for them, listening to them.  They felt a lot of frustration due to the discrepancy between what they had been taught about nursing standards and the reality in Bangladesh.  These are issues that we don’t have to deal with in the West, so they are sobering to think about. It is important to try to be realistic about what we can achieve. Everyone at IUBAT maintains very high standards in teaching the students. Although the students seem earnest and anxious to learn, it is difficult in light of the realities.  But - if we don't hold to the standards as best we can, then we don't give them a vision to aim for. I never doubted that I was doing something of benefit for the students.”

 

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Collaborative action for nurse education

On December 10, IUBAT College of Nursing hosted a workshop to discuss the topic, “Collaboration for Nurse Education.” Those attending came from the public and private sectors in nurse education, health care services and policy. Participants analyzed issues that affect nurse education, including lack of qualified educators and poor educational resources, as well as negative social attitudes towards nursing. They identified joint actions such as sharing library materials, working together for quality assurance and collaborating to train nurse educators. They also proposed more dialogue between private and public sectors and urged action to inform the general public about the contribution of nurses. Finally, they considered holding a conference on nurse education in 2012. The workshop ended with agreement to create a “Nurse Education Network” that will carry forward this action plan.

 

Monday, December 5, 2011

Exploring Dhaka

What do IUBAT volunteers do when they are not teaching? Often they explore the local neighbourhood as well as downtown Dhaka and even further afield. In this photo Dan Hawkins, Arman Azad, Sam Simpson and Andrea Marrie stand outside Bangladesh’s famous National Assembly, designed by Louis Kahn. Another popular destination is Old Dhaka, described in this news feature http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110815-saving-dhakas-heritage

Monday, November 28, 2011

Leadership development

Perhaps even more urgent than the demand for well-trained nurses in Bangladesh, is the need for effective nurse managers and educators. IUBAT faculty encourage the BSN students to think of themselves as future leaders of the profession. Their studies in Nursing Administration help them develop some skills. This course is also attended by practicing nurses and managers from our teaching hospital partners, ICDDRB and United Hospitals. The experienced practitioners always help the IUBAT students gain a realistic perspective on the challenges of management. The course includes a hospital management workshop, shown in this photo. In this day-long simulation, participants solve various problems related to personnel and care management issues. Visiting faculty Moira Cameron and Sam Simpson assisted Alex Berland in presenting the workshop.

 

Friday, November 25, 2011

"Nursing, once again, leads the way!"

In an editorial, Dr. Jane Robinson, editor of the International Nursing Review states, “ A briefing from the International Department of the Royal College of Nursing, England (http://rcn.org.uk) gives an update on the European Year of Volunteering 2011. The RCN gives as an example of international collaboration in nurse education the case study on a Canadian-Bangladeshi partnership published in INR (Berland et al. 2010). The RCN cites amongst the mutual benefits derived from the partnership: the material resources made available; the sharing of expertise between high and low income countries; professional development; and interaction between faculty and students. This seems to be a classic example of what the Europe for Citizens programme, which includes the European Year of Volunteering within its brief, aims to achieve ‘in bringing people closer together’.... In promoting participation and shared values, achieving intercultural dialogue, employment, social cohesion and sustainable development (European Commission – Citizenship 2010), it appears that nursing, once again, leads the way!"

Friday, November 18, 2011

Difficult conditions in public hospitals

Dhaka Medical College Hospital is the country’s largest public sector general hospital. Conditions there are illustrated in the weekend edition of The Daily Star, one of the major English language newspapers http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2011/11/02/photo.htm . IUBAT BSN students do not practice in this hospital. Naturally, though, we believe that our graduates will be part of the human resource solution to improve health services for all sectors of society.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Training of trainers - our next priority

The global shortage of nurse educators is a major barrier to increasing supply of nurses. To tackle this problem, we prepare students for teaching roles when they graduate. Senior students have the opportunity to learn as volunteer Teaching Assistants; our BSN graduates are paid for part-time positions. Visiting faculty coach and support novice educators as they develop classroom management skills. In this photo, Teaching Assistant Asha Gurung (BSN 2010) demonstrates wound care, observed by volunteers Monique de Groot and JoAnn Leavey and Teaching Assistant Shahed Chowdhury (BSN 2012). Already this strategy has made an impact, with some IUBAT graduates teaching in nursing colleges in Nepal.

 

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Positive impact for volunteers

Cassandra Ma was a senior nursing student in Canada when she went to IUBAT last year. In addition to helping junior students in the nursing labs, Cassandra used her long experience with St. John Ambulance to teach first-aid to nursing students, IUBAT security guards and faculty. About her experience at IUBAT, Cassandra says, "Increasingly, I find that what I learned in Bangladesh is transferable to my practice in Canada and even to how I carry myself as a person. Although initially I felt 'out of my element', I gained confidence in my knowledge base. Now I am more vocal about my strengths, more assertive in contributing my knowledge to other healthcare professionals. For example, in my first preceptorship, I had the confidence to advocate for my patients with other team members. That’s not all: I also gained first-hand knowledge about the value of cultural acceptance. And I had no idea of the struggles nurses face in Bangladesh – these encounters have been invaluable in my own development."

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

IUBAT alumni perform well

Congratulations to IUBAT College of Nursing graduates, Poonam Limbu,  Karuna Sharma and Bimala Rai. They recently passed exams for an advanced ACLS course offered at Dhaka’s BIRDEM Hospital. Of about 40 health professionals attending, only 10 passed, with the three IUBAT graduates in the top rank.  When the head of the Critical Care Unit announced the results, he told the audience that nurses are intelligent professionals, as these three IUBAT alumni had demonstrated. 

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Health information for volunteers

People interested in volunteering with our project are sensibly concerned about their health and safety in Dhaka. IUBAT is very experienced at keeping its many international visitors secure and comfortable. The university is located in the north of the city, far from occasional political demonstrations downtown. On the daily walk to work, neighbours greet us as members of the community. Our guest house is run by housekeepers who have been trained in food safety. Preparations before you leave are available from the USA Centre for Disease Control http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/bangladesh.htm#notices You can also read more about all these matters in our Volunteer Guide.

IUBAT at the School of Hope

Dhaka’s School of Hope provides free education to local poor children (http://www.schoolofhope.net/ ). Each year, IUBAT Nursing students provide free health screening as part of their training in Community Health. This summer they were taught by an educator from Vancouver Community College Nursing Department, Susan McNeill. Susan says, “We screened approximately 200 kids for hearing, vision, height and weight. The students actively participated in developing and evaluating the program. The additional picture of Rakib at the white board shows an impromptu lesson during our global health class. He was illustrating the distribution of donor aid, and how most gets siphoned off before it reaches the end user. Part of one of our lively class discussions! I was impressed by these thinkers and future leaders.”

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

"An incredible experience"

A Canadian RN working in a busy emergency department, Danielle LeMoine, volunteered at IUBAT during spring 2011.  This photo shows her (back row, right) with Monique de Groot and medical-surgical students at United Hospital. “Teaching at IUBAT was an incredible experience …. I learned what it’s like living in a developing country, and saw first-hand the impact of social determinants of health like income, education and access to services. It is important for me to involve myself with projects that help create sustainable change… educating nurses is an excellent way to do this. Nurses can be leaders for change; we have all seen this in action. Sharing our knowledge and experiences, while helping build their confidence, practical and critical thinking-skills can help shape the future of nurses and health care delivery in Bangladesh.” Thank you, Danielle, for your passion and effort.

 

 

 

Monday, August 15, 2011

International Nurses Day at United Hospital

Each year, the nurses of United Hospital celebrate International Nurses Day.  United Hospital [UH] is one of Dhaka’s major international hospitals and an IUBAT affiliate. This an excellent setting for our students to practice medical-surgical nursing. At this year’s Nurses Day festivities sponsored by the hospital, management made a huge effort to show their support for nurses.  IUBAT volunteers were proud to be invited. The UH nurses read poems they had written about their nursing experiences, and performed traditional songs and dances. Kudos to UH for the great work they're doing to elevate the status of nursing in Bangladesh!


Canucks fans at IUBAT

It's not all work at IUBAT.  Summer 2011 volunteers (l-r) Sean, Gillian, Jess and Ray introduced the IUBAT neighbourhood to Vancouver Canucks fever!  Sean, Jess and Ray visited Dhaka for six weeks as part of their Community Health coursework at our BSN affiliate, Vancouver Community College.  They conducted community assessments alongside IUBAT students, and participated in clinical rotations at local health care facilities.  Gillian, an RN who is also from Vancouver, joined IUBAT as Visiting Faculty, teaching Medical-Surgical Nursing and Professional Issues.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Learning more about Dhaka

Are you curious about living conditions in Dhaka while volunteering at IUBAT? Our website provides the basic information, which we follow with a personal discussion to answer your specific questions. Some other sources are these: the weather forecast http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/41923.html ; an English-language newspaper http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/todays-paper.php, and a unique city view from The Day Begins in Dhaka video, produced by Julie Lindsay of the International School Dhaka.

 

Monday, May 23, 2011

Media support for more nurse education

Bangladesh needs more nurses according to a recent article in The Independent, one of the country’s leading English-language newspapers. http://www.theindependentbd.com/paper-edition/frontpage/129-frontpage/51142-country-needs-more-nurses-than-doctors.html In addition to describing public sector nurse education, the writer comments on the role of private sector universities and the challenges they face. She cites senior officials in the Bangladesh Nursing Council, who suggest strengthening the government’s Directorate of Nursing Service “so that development issues of this significant sector can be properly addressed.... They also emphasized appointment of officials with nursing background at the policy making level in the health and family welfare ministry.”

 

 

Visiting faculty needed at IUBAT Fall 2011

Recruitment is underway for Fall 2011. Two courses still require visiting faculty volunteers.

We teach Mental Health Nursing over two trimesters, summer and fall. The second segment starts about September 5th and runs for 12 weeks. Classes, assignments and exams are prepared. We have a good clinical placement at the National Institute for Mental Health, which is a progressive tertiary facility in Dhaka.

Similarly, Nursing Administration is offered in the fall. This also involves three hours of lecture per week and includes a full-day simulation workshop.

Elsewhere on this website you can find additional details about arrangements for volunteers. If you are seriously interested and available please contact us info@bangladeshhealthproject.com.

Monday, May 9, 2011

National Geographic features Bangladesh

Bangladesh features in the May 2011 issue of National Geographic magazine in a series on impacts of global climate change. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/05/bangladesh/belt-text This photo is taken on the same Turag River that flows past IUBAT. The article emphasizes how river flooding, rising sea-levels and stronger tropical storms will stress an already-crowded region. It quotes a population health expert on the importance of professional education as a way to relieve some of the pressures. But the theme of the article is resilience – how Bangladeshis are already adapting with their centuries of experience in crisis management. “Precisely because Bangladesh has so many problems, it's long served as a kind of laboratory for innovative solutions... proving itself far more resourceful than skeptics might have guessed.” This is no surprise to anyone who has visited IUBAT.

 

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Using technology to promote cross-cultural professional growth

Groups of BSN students from IUBAT and Vancouver’s Langara College participated in a web discussion during Fall 2008 and Summer 2009. This spring Pat Woods, a Langara College faculty member, presented the results of this project to the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing. The purpose of the student activity was to promote professional growth and to increase cross cultural understanding of nursing and health care in another country.  Students discussed professional development topics such as nurses’ roles, working conditions and social status. Langara students with family connections in China, India or the Philippines reflected on the attitudes of their relatives towards nursing. One IUBAT student stated, “…when I got to know the reality in other developed country on improvement of nursing gradually,  I also feel I can do something to change the status of nursing in my country – Nepal.” A Canadian student commented, “This will make me more culturally aware of my patients, as they may view my role as a nurse differently than someone [born] in Canada would.”

 

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Festivities at IUBAT

Bangladeshis have a reputation for hospitality. Visiting faculty volunteers always enjoy their farewell recognition events, as well as the cultural performances and special events around national holidays. These are opportunities for everyone to dress up and display their non-academic talents. In this picture, IUBAT College of Nursing Chair Karen Lund and Visiting Professor Rycki Maltby share a social moment at the farewell reception for the U Vermont 2011 visit.  Yes, Karen is sporting a woolen shawl, it's not always hot in Dhaka!



Students promote nursing

In Bangladesh, nursing is not a widely respected profession. That’s why it is so important to teach our students how to present a positive image of nurses’ contribution to population health and health care. Each spring, students, parents and educators from the community tour IUBAT as they consider options for their university education. Each faculty of IUBAT prepares an orientation event to introduce their program. This is a great opportunity to raise awareness about nursing. In this photo, IUBAT nursing students are staffing the College of Nursing stall, which includes several anatomical models. The torso was recently donated by the U Vermont Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society.

 

U Vermont BSN students at IUBAT

In January 2011 sixteen nursing students from the University of Vermont visited IUBAT for 3 weeks during their Community Health practicum.  Their supervisor, Dr. Hendrika (Rycki) Maltby, initiated this program several years ago to help students understand cultural barriers to health care in developing countries. This is the second visit hosted by IUBAT.   The students visited a rural village project for sustainable development and partnered with IUBAT nursing students to conduct community assessments in Dhaka.  One of the most memorable activities was the IUBAT Community Health Assessment Day.  The UVm students joined IUBAT nursing students, doctors from Shikder Hospital and other local health care specialists to provide our annual free health assessment to the local community.  In addition to checkups for families, the students provided health teaching about hygiene, nutrition and vaccination.  This practicum provides a fantastic opportunity for the American and Bengali students to learn from each other.  The photo shows Rachel (UVm) providing an assessment for a young mother and child. We are already planning the 2012 visit!

 

Friday, April 15, 2011

The health workforce crisis in Bangladesh

According to BRAC researcher Syed Masud Ahmed and his colleagues (Human Resources for Health 2011, 9:3), in 2007 there were around five physicians and two nurses per 10 000 population in Bangladesh, i.e. 2.5 times more doctor than nurses. “The current nurse-doctor ratio ...  is far short of the international standard of around three nurses per doctor. Interestingly, the equal nurse-doctor ratio in Khulna and very low nurse-doctor ratio in Sylhet is also associated with better health indicators in Khulna and worse health indicators in Sylhet. The importance of the nursing population for healthier communities ... cannot be overemphasized.” They estimate, based on typical low-income countries, that 280 000 nurses are needed in Bangladesh. http://www.human-resources-health.com/content/9/1/3

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Community nursing - big impact

Linda Rollins of Nelson BC recently returned from teaching Community Health Nursing at IUBAT. Although this is her specialty in Canada, Linda says that she found the situation there quite different. “Community nursing in Bangladesh faces so many challenges from poor sanitation, food safety and environmental conditions. At the same time, chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease are becoming more common. There are great opportunities for the IUBAT graduates to make a big difference in the lives of ordinary people. It was very fulfilling to know that my effort has such an important potential impact.”

 

Monday, March 28, 2011

Recognizing an invaluable faculty member

Sonia Meyer is one of our longest-serving volunteers. With a background in respiratory therapy, she completed her BScN in the USA. Sonia lives year-round in Bangladesh, making time despite job and family responsibilities to supervise IUBAT medical-surgical students in their clinical practice. Managers at United Hospital appreciate the way Sonia emphasizes high-quality nursing care and cooperative relationships with all the staff. Sonia says, “I enjoy working with the students. They get good experience at United Hospital and they are so eager to learn. I am proud that they really care about their patients as if they were their own family.” She is certified by the American Heart Association to teach cardio-pulmonary resuscitation to our students each year. Such consistent, capable faculty members are hard to find in Dhaka. Big thanks, Sonia!  

 

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Co-operation agreement between IUBAT and Vancouver Community College

IUBAT and Vancouver Community College recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding. In summer 2011, the first group of VCC students will visit IUBAT with their instructor. Pat Bawtinheimer, Dean of VCC’s School of Health Sciences says, “I know that everyone is excited about this opportunity for our BScN students. We are confident that this experience will provide invaluable learning for them. We anticipate a very positive working relationship with IUBAT in the future.” To which Dr. Alimullah Miyan Vice-Chancellor of IUBAT responds, “I am a firm believer in co-operative learning. Our colleagues from Canada as well as our International Office will do everything possible to make your students and faculty welcome in our growing campus. From the beginning of this university in 1991 we have been fairly successful in evolving a multicultural environment. The co-operation with Vancouver Community College will reinforce this.

 

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

A new student initiative

Karen Lund reports that a group of second year students has come up with a plan that during every semester break (following exams) they would stay a week in one of their local villages. While there they would conduct community health assessments and health teaching sessions.  They plan to go in rotating groups of 4-5 nursing students along with an intern doctor. The visits would take in areas where one of the group has a family network for infrastructure support and local credibility.  This group includes both Bengali and Nepali students with hopes that the plan may someday include their Nepalese villages as well.  

Karen comments, “This is a milestone!  It is the first time our students have come to me with their own well thought-out plan for volunteer service.  Our years of teaching compassionate care seem to be bearing fruit at last.  It has been our goal to see attitudes change so that our graduates eventually lead nursing, reaching out to develop humanitarian initiatives in their home countries.  I'm still idealistic enough to think this might be the start of the sea change.  Thanks so very much to all the volunteers who have led by example and given our students confidence in themselves !!"  

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Protecting students from Hepatitis

We have been concerned for some time about this workplace hazard because hepatitis in all its forms is so common in Bangladesh. The initial testing and subsequent immunizations cost $20-40 per student. This is a lot of money, which many families cannot afford. So we send a big thank-you to the donor  who gave us $1000 to pay for Hepatitis B protection for the nursing students.

 

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Editorial "For better managed hospitals"

“Conditions of most of the public hospitals in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country are far from satisfactory.” http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=173902  Dhaka’s Daily Star often campaigns for improved public services. Higher public expectations are also essential to raise the status of nursing as a profession in Bangladesh. If patients and their relatives demand improved care, hospitals will have to hire well-educated nurses. With more opportunities, good nurses will be more mobile and can negotiate better pay and working conditions. This will in turn increase demand for better nurse education and stronger students will apply.

 

 

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Building the College of Nursing library

We now have several hundred books in the College of Nursing library - probably the best nursing library in Bangladesh. All teaching at IUBAT is in English, which helps graduates access professional literature throughout their careers. In nursing this is essential because there are so few textbooks written in Bangla. Our collection has been built with donations from many supporters. We are especially grateful to the College of Registered Nurses of BC for passing along discarded books, and to Cathay Pacific Airlines and Singapore Air who have kindly given us extra baggage allowance.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Thanks to our volunteers for Fall Semester 2010

We had an enthusiastic crew of volunteers from September to December 2010. Deirdre Evans taught Mental Health Nursing, the course she has developed, also supervised students’ practice in the National Institute for Mental Health. Val Hedstrom taught Nursing Administration while her husband Rick Dowdall assisted with various program tasks, including a careful review of our recent funding proposal. Rabiya Merani developed our volunteer survey, taught English and assisted with the never-ending marking of assignments. Stephanie Lee taught introduction to nursing and medical-surgical nursing, and also supervised students at United Hospital. Sally Sando taught maternal-child nursing and supervised students at the Centre for Woman and Child Health. Judi Morton and Alex Berland assisted by reorganizing library and nursing lab and connecting with hospitals to develop new learning opportunities. Thanks to everyone for your companionship and hard work.

Necessity breeds invention

Many skills require hands-on practice; but what to do when the necessary equipment is not available?  Volunteer instructor Stephanie Lee RN taught medical-surgical nursing at IUBAT College of Nursing in fall semester 2010. She crafted her own tracheotomy tube from cardboard so that students could learn the principles and practice nursing care of this vital device. Probably not suitable for real-life use – but an ingenious work-around for basic instruction. By the way – we are grateful for donations of out-dated or unsterile but useable hospital supplies.

 

Big thanks to our generous donors

A major sponsor of the IUBAT College of Nursing is Hartley&Marks Group. This Vancouver-based company publishes regular books as well as Paperblanks, a collection of beautiful notebooks. We are very grateful for the financial and moral support of the employees of Hartley&Marks Group. Their donations over the past three years helped sustain our guest-house for visiting faculty who come to Bangladesh. All charitable donations to the Mid-Main Bangladesh Health Project are eligible for Canadian tax-deductible receipts.

 

IUBAT BSN students' study findings in the news

The Financial Express, one of Dhaka’s leading English-language newspapers has reported the 2010 study by John Richards, Afifa Shahrin and Karen Lund with data collected by IUBAT BSN students. "Benchmarking the Nutritional Status of Women in the Tongi-Ashulia Road Slums" analyzes one aspect of the life of these marginalized people, many of them rural migrants. Working with our Canadian partner SFU and other schools of public health, the IUBAT College of Nursing will continue to study other aspects of health in this community. The story in the Financial Express is available online http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=122266&date=2011-01-08.