Hello everyone. My name is Rezwanul Haque, and I have had the honor of being part of the jivita Project since 2004. Today, as we celebrate 25 years of jivita’s remarkable journey, I am grateful for the chance to reflect on my experiences, the transformation I’ve witnessed, and the incredible people I have had the privilege to work with. When I first joined jivita in 2004, the project looked very different from what it is today. Our entire data collection system was completely paper-based. Every form, every schedule, and every interview was handled manually. I saw the weight of this system directly on our field staff. They would return after long, exhausting days carrying stacks of questionnaires—sometimes drenched from rain, sometimes covered in dust from rural roads. The physical and mental burden was enormous. It wasn’t just paperwork; it was a strain on their time, energy, and well-being. One evening stands out clearly in my memory. I was sitting with a few field workers after a tiring day. They looked exhausted, yet still deeply committed to the people we serve. Their dedication moved me. And in that quiet moment, I felt a strong responsibility to find a better, smarter way for them to work. That moment became the turning point of my journey. After witnessing the challenges firsthand, I began thinking seriously about how technology could ease the workload and improve our accuracy. Digitization felt ambitious at the time. We had limited infrastructure, limited tools, and very little precedent for digital systems in large field-based research. But every innovation begins with a simple question: “How can we make this better?” So we started with something small—digitizing the interview-scheduling process. With team support and many rounds of testing, we eventually implemented the first digital scheduling system on 2012. Looking back now, I feel humbled to say that I had the privilege of being the pioneer of jivita’s digitization journey. That small beginning, nearly 1 decades ago, laid the foundation for what would become a complete digital transformation of our data systems. Transformation does not happen overnight. It requires patience, persistence, and teamwork. From that first digital tool, we gradually expanded digital systems—project by project, year after year. jivita grew, technology advanced, and our team became more confident and capable. Today, jivita’s entire data collection system is fully digital. Tasks that once required days now happen in real time. Data quality, speed, accuracy, and monitoring have dramatically improved. And most importantly, the burden on our field staff has been significantly reduced. Seeing how much easier their work has become remains one of the proudest achievements of my career. My journey at Jivita has been shaped by the various leadership roles I have held over the years. Beyond my responsibilities in the Data Management Center, I was also assigned as a Unit Head, where I worked closely with teams, solved operational challenges, and supported day-to-day project activities. Later, I became a member of the Senior Management Team, contributing to higher-level decisions, guiding innovation, and shaping broader strategies. Today, I serve as a member of the Executive Team—a role that is both an honor and a responsibility. It allows me to contribute to jivita’s long-term vision, strengthen systems, and support operations across multiple departments. Each stage of this journey has taught me valuable lessons about people, teamwork, and sustainable progress. One of the greatest privileges of my career has been working closely with national and international researchers—especially the renowned professors and faculty members from Johns Hopkins University. Their scientific rigor, professionalism, and vision have inspired me deeply. Through these collaborations, I gained skills not only in data management but also in administration, planning, and overall project leadership. Their mentorship played a significant role in shaping my professional identity. Today, I apply that knowledge in my role on the Executive Team, going beyond my responsibilities in data management to help guide Jivita’s continued success and innovation. As we celebrate 25 years of jivita, I feel immense pride—not only in my own growth but in the journey we have taken together. jivita has grown from a paper-based operation to a fully digital research system. We have expanded our scientific reach, strengthened our teams, and improved the lives of the communities we serve. We have faced challenges, embraced innovation, and built one of the strongest field research infrastructures in the world. And we achieved all of this together—with unity, dedication, and a shared mission. To everyone who has been part of this journey—our field staff, management, researchers, and the entire data management team—I want to express my heartfelt gratitude. Your commitment is what makes jivita what it is today. For me, being part of this legacy is truly an honor. The growth, the challenges, the teamwork, and the impact—this is something we built together. And I am proud to continue contributing to jivita’s future with the same passion and purpose. Thank you.