Stellar Students Set to Shine at Rajshahi Astronomy Camp
The second Astronomy Camp organized by the Bangladesh Socio-Cultural Forum (BSCF) is set to begin on Thursday, October 9, at the Rajshahi Novotheatre with registration and pre-inaugural activities.
This year, students ranging from seventh grade to university level will form 30 teams to exchange knowledge and experiences in astronomy and space science. Participants will have the opportunity to observe the night sky through telescopes and gain insights into celestial objects. Over a thousand students will also benefit from workshops and hands-on training sessions related to space science.
At a press conference held on Wednesday afternoon, September 8, at the Central Cafeteria of Rajshahi University (RU), Noor Ahsan Mridul, Convener of the Public Relations Subcommittee of the BSCF Second Astronomy Camp, briefed reporters on the event’s overall plans.
It was announced that the camp will officially open on Thursday at Rajshahi Novotheatre and conclude on Saturday at Rajshahi University with a closing ceremony. On the final day, a panel discussion titled “Policy and Reality” will be held, featuring central leaders from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP.
BSCF Chief Executive Niloy Saha stated, “This year, about 1,100 students from several upazilas of Rajshahi and from Bogura will participate in the program. The participants will be divided into 30 teams, each of which will be given a space-related problem to solve within three days. They will present their solutions on the final day.”
He further said, “Bringing astronomy into the academic sphere is one of our main objectives. The Bangladesh Socio-Cultural Forum is a TSSC-registered organization under Rajshahi University. We work across different regions of the country and aim to make astronomy a festive and engaging subject.”
At the pre-inaugural event, the chief guests at Novotheatre will include Dr. Raihana Shams Islam, Professor of Physics at Rajshahi University, and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) of Rajshahi, Mr. Tuktak Talukder, among others.
The second day’s sessions will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), featuring theoretical discussions, group work, and a panel session. Renowned astrophotographer Zubair Kaulin will deliver a keynote speech. The program will also be attended by Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Khandaker Azim Ahmed and RUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. S. M. Abdur Razzak.
Bangladeshi initiative She-STEM, which promotes women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professions, has joined this year’s Astronomy Camp to support the expansion of space science education and inclusion.
