The Center for Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics (CASSA) and the Department of Physical Sciences of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) organized the National Round of the 9th Bangladesh Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (BDOAA) on April 18, 2026.

The competition was organized to select participants for the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2026 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The national round comprised examinations, lectures, workshops, prize-giving sessions, and astronomy observation activities. Participants from Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, and other regions joined the event.

A total of 204 students were divided into Junior, Senior, and Open categories. They qualified through regional and e-regional rounds. Participants also attended an “Exclusive Study Abroad Workshop” conducted by DP Tutorials.

The closing ceremony was attended by Prof. M. Tamim, Vice Chancellor of IUB; Dr. Habib Bin Muzaffar, Dean of the School of Engineering, Technology and Sciences; Prof. Dr. M. Arshad Momen, Director of the Office of Graduate Studies Research and Industry Relations (GSRIR); and Dr. Rifat Ara Rouf, Head of the Department of Physical Sciences. They discussed a range of topics including astronomy education, interdisciplinary research, and the role of space science in scientific development.

A public lecture titled “How fast is the universe expanding?” was delivered by Dr. Syed Ashraf Uddin, Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Sciences, followed by a question-and-answer session. Dr. Khan Muhammad Bin Asad, Director of CASSA, delivered the vote of thanks.

Winners from the Junior and Senior categories received medals and certificates and were selected for further preparation for IOAA 2026. The winners in the senior category are Md Talha Zobair (Private), Dibyajyoti Goswami (Scholars Home), and Sajid Aman (Notre Dame College). The winners in the junior category are Arash Zuhayr Udoy (Maple Leaf International School), Md Ridwan Mosarraf (Rajshahi Collegiate School), and Soumik Ray Dibyo (Cantonment Public School and College Saidpur).

The event concluded with “Astronomy Night 14,” organized in collaboration with Durbin, an astronomy outreach initiative under CASSA. It included digital and optical stargazing activities using telescopes and astronomy mapping tools.

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