By Miraz Hossain
In a ceremony held at the Embassy, the winners of the 1st International Astronomy Olympiad were awarded medals and certificates for their outstanding performances. The prestigious event took place in the city of Saransk, Mordovia, Russia, from September 26 to October 2, 2022, in a remote format due to the global pandemic. The Embassy, in collaboration with the office of “Rossotrudnichestvo” (Russian House) in Dhaka, organized the Olympiad to promote scientific excellence among Bangladeshi students and schoolchildren.
A total of six medals were won by the participants from Bangladesh, including one silver and five bronze medals. The recipients of the medals were Hritom Sarker Oyon from Adamjee Cantonment Public School, Imdallulah Raji from Notre Dame College, Anhaf Anna Nafi from Chittagong College, Radh Chowdhury from Dhaka Residential Model College, Fijul Kabir Jishan from Ananda Mohan College, and Faiyaz Siddiqui from DPS STS School. These talented individuals showcased their astronomical knowledge and skills, bringing pride to their country.
The prize-giving ceremony was graced by the presence of H.E. Ambassador of Russia, Mr. Alexander Mantytskiy, and Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy, Ms. Ekaterina A. Semenova. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of honor and celebration as the winners were acknowledged for their remarkable achievements.
During the ceremony, Mr. Md Abdul Momin, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Bangladesh, recognized Russia’s significant role in the development of a knowledge-based economy in Bangladesh. He also expressed his admiration for the progress made in the implementation of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, highlighting the fruitful collaboration between the two nations.
Mr. Maxim E. Dobrokhotov, Director of the Russian House in Dhaka, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in nurturing the talent of Bangladeshi youth. He highlighted the opportunities available for scholarship and grant programs in Russia and emphasized the high-quality technical education offered by Russian universities. He believed that these areas of expertise would greatly benefit Bangladesh’s ongoing socio-economic development.
The event also witnessed the congratulatory remarks from Mr. Fahim Rajit Hossain, Team Leader of the Bangladesh Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Mr. Moshurul Amin, Founder and Adviser of the Bangladesh Astronomical Association. They commended the participants for their impressive performances and expressed their optimism for future educational exchanges with Russia, fostering a deeper understanding of astronomy and space science.
The talented winners expressed their aspirations to pursue scientific endeavors, representing their homeland at similar international events. Furthermore, they expressed keen interest in studying at Russian universities, recognizing the exceptional education and research opportunities provided by the country.
The 1st International Astronomy Olympiad not only showcased the astronomical knowledge and skills of Bangladeshi students and schoolchildren but also strengthened the ties between Bangladesh and Russia in the field of science and education. It is expected that such initiatives will continue to foster educational exchanges and scientific cooperation, nurturing the talents of young minds and contributing to the progress of both nations.