Bangladesh 2003

World Space Week 2003 Report

The Inaugural Ceremony of World Space Week 2003 was held on October 4 in the auditorium of Mirpur Bangla High School at Section-11, Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh between 12.15 pm and 2.15 pm. The Meeting was presided over by Dr. AKM Aminul Haque, the Vice-President of Bangladesh Astronomical Society and the former Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

Among who delivered their lectures in the meeting were: Mr. F. R. Sarker, an eminent Astronomer and the General Secretary of Bangladesh Astronomical Society; Dr. Mobarak Ali Akand, the Treasurer of Bangladesh Astronomical Society and the former Director of the Museum of Science and Technology, Dhaka; Mr. Syed Abdul Kaium, the Head Master of Mirpur Bangla High School; Mr. Shiba Ranjan Datta, Science Teacher and Adviser of the Science Club of Mirpur Bangla High School; two school students, Master Amit and Master Rahim. The speakers discussed the objectives of World Space Week and the necessity for creating space awareness among the younger generations of Bangladesh. Space-related videos were shown through the multimedia projection system. The Bangladesh Astronomical Society held the week-long programme to celebrate World Space Week 2003 in a befitting manner. Some other organizations in Bangladesh also celebrated this Space event.

Under assistance from the Bangladesh Astronomical Society, the Science Club of Mirpur Bangla High School, Dhaka arranged a Children's Art Competition which was held on October 7 in the school rooms as a part of the programme for World Space Week. Children between 6 and 10 years of age participated in this competition. They drew colourful pictures about the sun, moon, planets and other objects from their imagination which they felt to be suitable. Mr. Shiba Ranjan Datta, the science teacher, explained to them that in the future when they become older they may travel to space, which they heard with great excitement. The Art Competition continued from noon to 2pm with great enthusiasm by the participating children. The winners of the Art Competition were given certificates and prizes on October 9, during the concluding ceremony of World Space Week.

As a part of the programme for celebrating World Space Week, the Science Club of Mirpur Bangla High School, supported by Bangladesh Astronomical Society, arranged a Lecture Competition on Space Topics which was held in the school on October 8, 2003. A large number of students from Class VII to VIII of the school participated in the competition. They brought their handwritten papers with articles on the exploration of the moon and Mars, which they read eloquently. Each speaker was allowed 3 minutes time to deliver their lecture. Winners were selected from the speakers whose speeches were clear and contained more information. A team of judges headed by Mr. Shiba Ranjan Datta, Science Teacher, and assisted by two Science organizers, Abur Rahim and Maniruzzaman Monir, conducted the Lecture Competition. Those students who were winners in the competition were given certificates and prizes during the closing ceremony of World Space Week on October 9, 2003.

The Bangladesh Astronomical Society held the Closing Ceremony of the celebration of World Space Week on Thursday, October 9, between 5 pm and 7 pm in the auditorium of Mirpur Bangla High School, Dhaka, and it was attended by a large number of people. Mr. Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, the Secretary, Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology, Government of Bangladesh attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest. Dr. AKM Aminul Haque, Vice-President, Bangladesh Astronomical Society and former Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University presided over the meeting. Among others who delivered lectures at the event were Mr. F. R. Sarker, General Secretary, Bangladesh Astronomical Society and the National Coordinator for World Space Week in Bangladesh; Dr. Mobarak Ali Akand, Treasurer, Bangladesh Astronomical Society and the former Director of Science Museum, Dhaka; Professor Habibur Rahman Chowdhury, Director of Science Museum; Dr. A.M. Chowdhury, Chairman, Bangladesh Computer Council; Mr. Syed Abdul Kaium, the Headmaster, Mirpur Bangla High School; Mr. Shiba Ranjan Datta, Science Teacher, Mirpur Bangla High School; Yakub Hossain Shohel, Science Organizer; and Master Amit, a junior Astronomer.

The speakers discussed the prospects and problems of studies of astronomy and space science in Bangladesh and concluded that the government must develop realistic programmes for the development of this important sector. Mr. F. R. Sarker explained the importance of celebrating World Space Week with a multimedia presentation. He demanded that the Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology should immediately set up an organization named "Bangladesh Institute of Astronomy and Space Research" (BIASR) aimed at creating opportunities for study and research of astronomy and space science in Bangladesh. Mr. Mesbah Uddin Ahmed thanked the organizers for arranging the celebration of "World Space Week" and assured them that his Ministry would try its best for the development of astronomy and space science in Bangladesh. Later, he distributed prizes and certificates to the students who had won in the Art and Lecture Competitions on Space Topics held in Mirpur Bangla High School during the celebration of World Space Week. The ceremony was followed by video shows on different subjects of space and astronomy.

Media coverage of World Space Week was good. Most of the reports of the celebration were published in Bengali Newspapers. Four reports were published in two leading daily Newspapers in Dhaka: The New Age, October 11; The Independent, October 11; The Independent, October 6; and The Independent, October 15.

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