Bangladesh Socio-Cultural Forum organises Astronomy Camp 2025

The Bangladesh Socio-Cultural Forum (BSCF) organised the BSCF Second Astronomy Camp 2025 for the second time. This year's camp, titled "Second BSCF Astronomy Camp 2025 – Powered by SheSTEM", began on October 9 at the Rajshahi Novotheatre with registration, logistics distribution, and a pre-inaugural session. The Chief Guest of the pre-inaugural session was Prof. Dr Rayhana Shams Islam, Department of Physics, University of Rajshahi (RU). Special Guests included Tuktak Talukder, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education & ICT), Rajshahi; Dr Habibur Rahman, Associate Professor, Department of Folklore and Social Development Studies, RU; Ebadat Hossain, Deputy Director, Rajshahi Novotheatre; and Syed Siddiqur Rahman, Adviser, BSCF. The session was chaired by Camp Chief Samin Yasar Saad.

The second day of the camp began on October 10 at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET). The Chief Guest of the inaugural session on day 2 was Khondker Azim Ahmed, NDC, Divisional Commissioner, Rajshahi, while Professor Dr S M Abdur Razzaque, Vice-Chancellor, RUET, was the Chief Patron. Special Guests for the second day included Prof. Dr Robiul Islam Sarkar, Director, Student Welfare Office, RUET; Prof. Dr Abdullah Shams Bin Tariq, Department of Physics, RU; Prof. Dr Mozzamel Hossain Bokul, Chair, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, RU; Md Mahinul Hasan, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Rajshahi; and Omar Farhan Khan, Senior Business Consultant, LightCastle Partners. The session was chaired by Samin Yasar Saad. The day's events included theoretical sessions, group work, and a special session by renowned astrophotographer Jubair Kaulin.

The third and final day of the camp began on October 11 at the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium, RU. Students from grades 7 through university level from across the Rajshahi Division participated in the astronomy olympiad. A panel discussion titled "Science Education: Policies and Realities" was jointly organised by BSCF and the Institute of Informatics and Development (IID). The panelists included Prof. Dr Rayhana Shams Islam, Department of Physics, RU; Shama Obaid, Divisional Organisational Secretary (Faridpur), BNP; Samanta Sharmin, Senior Joint Convener, National Citizen Party; youth activist Umama Fatima; Nurul Islam Bulbul, Member, Central Committee, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami; Saeed Ahmed, Chief Executive, IID; Rezaul Karim, teacher, Rajbari Government High School; and Samin Yasar Saad. The session was moderated by Mahfuz Mishu, International Affairs Editor, Jamuna Television.

Following the day's activities, the closing and award ceremony was held with Md Anwar Hossain, Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, as the Chief Guest. Special Guests included Prof. Dr Md Farid Uddin Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic), RU; Nazmul Hassan PPM, Addl. Police Commissioner (Crime), Rajshahi Metropolitan Police; Md Moinul Islam Titas, Additional Secretary (np), Ministry of Science and Technology; Md Shawgatul Alam, Director General, Novotheatre; Dr Iqbal Hossain, Associate Professor, Kushtia Medical College and Adviser, BSCF; and Nazmul Kabir Al Mehmud, Senior Business Consultant, LightCastle Partners. The welcome speech was delivered by Samin Yasar Saad, and the session was chaired by Prof. Dr Saleh Hasan Naqib, Vice-Chancellor, RU. The vote of thanks was delivered by Niloy Saha, Chief Executive, BSCF.

After the closing and award ceremony, a cultural performance took place. More than 1,000 students from the Rajshahi Division participated in this year's camp.