Astro Olympiad held to hunt young talents

The closing ceremony of the 21st East West University Astro Olympiad 2026 was held on Friday, aiming to popularise astronomy among the youth and identify talents to represent Bangladesh on the international stage.

Jointly organised by the Bangladesh Astronomical Association and the Ministry of Science and Technology, the event took place at the Novotheatre auditorium in the capital on Friday afternoon, drawing participation from students across the country.

Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Md Anwar Hossain attended the event as the chief guest.

Speaking at the event, distinguished guests emphasised that building skilled human resources in science, astronomy, and space research is essential in today’s technology-driven world.

They observed that competitions like the Astro Olympiad play a vital role in developing a scientific temperament, curiosity, logical thinking, and an innovative mindset among students. Such contests, they added, go beyond mere examinations, inspiring the new generation to explore the universe and aspire to become scientists and researchers of international standards.

Organisers noted a growing interest in space and astronomy among students, expressing hope that such initiatives would pave the way for Bangladesh's future success at the international level.