QSA received last week a large group of male and female students from independent secondary schools within the framework of a plan to raise students’ awareness of the importance of statistics in their life, in general, and in their studies, in particular. 
 
 The students’ visits programs to QSA started last Monday with a visit by students from Omar bin Alkhattab Independent School for Boys, Tariq bin Ziad Independent School for Boys, Ahmed bin Hanbal Independent Secondary School for Boys and Ibn Taimiya Independent Secondary Schools for Boys.During their visit, the students became acquainted with major statistical data on the State of Qatar and QSA’s role, its main statements, bulletins, monthly and annual reports as well as a presentation demonstrating how the general census is conducted.Last Thursday, students from Rabi’a Al’adawiya Independent Secondary School for Girls, Um Ayman Independent Secondary School for Girls, Aisha bint Abu Bakr Independent Secondary School for Girls, Al’iman Independent Secondary School for Girls and Alkawther Independent Secondary School for Girls paid a visit to QSA. QSA officials explained to the visiting students the importance of statistics in meeting users’ needs for good quality statistical data for the purpose of backing the formulation of policies based on evidence and monitoring developmental progress as well as commitment to apply the best international practices.The officials pointed out that QSA seeks to provide official reference data on social, demographic, economic and environmental conditions, standardization of statistical concepts and knowledge as well as coordination of data producers’ activities in the State of Qatar and ensuring the production of coherent and integrated statistics for national, regional and international use.During their visits, the students became acquainted with the components of QSA’s electronic website and how they can be employed to gather data to assist them in their research assignments. They were also provided with definitions and explanations of a number of statistical terms such as Gross Domestic Product, Consumer Prices Index, Industrial Producers Price Index and other statistical terms and projects.