Rwanda: ADP brings microdata producers to university faculty, researchers and students (August 2013)

The ADP and the National Institute of Statistics Rwanda (NISR) hosted a series of Microdata Outreach Workshops in August to reach out to data users from National University of Rwanda (NUR) School of Public Health in Kigali, NUR in Butare, and INES Ruhengeri. Earlier in May 2013, NISR launched the National Data Archive (NADA) as a platform for disseminating survey and census microdata. With ADP support, NISR conducted Microdata Outreach Workshops as an innovative strategy for user advocacy and services. During the workshop, NISR introduced to participants the existing survey microdata, dissemination existing tools and policies. Participants gained hands-on training of using the National Data Archive (NADA) and exploring survey data. NISR representatives and university participants also engaged in user-producer dialogues to exchange feedbacks on data availability and access policies, reveal challenges of using microdata, and brainstorm ways to implement programs for promoting the use of microdata. The exchanges between data users and producers are expected to strengthen the existing partnerships between NISR and universities in Rwanda and lead to future opportunities for promoting the use and value of microdata. As next steps, ADP is currently actively seeking partners and innovative ways to sustain the impact of the workshops and further empower data users in Rwanda.