Bangladesh has made a strong mark at the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2025, held in Mumbai, India. Competing against nearly 290 participants from over 60 countries, the Bangladeshi team proudly brought home 1 Silver Medal, 2 Honourable Mention Awards, and 1 Best Group Performance Award.
The IOAA is regarded as the premier global competition in astronomy and astrophysics, with this year seeing the debut of several new countries including Australia, Algeria, Ethiopia, and Palestine. The competition’s theory round was particularly challenging, yet Bangladeshi students rose to the occasion, earning recognition on the international stage.
The team’s success reflects the dedication of both the students and their leaders. The delegation was guided by Fahim Rajit Hossain and Arnab Chowdhury, both former IOAA contestants and now graduate students in astronomy, whose leadership proved vital in achieving these results.
Despite limitations in telescope practice facilities at home, which impacted performance in observational rounds, Bangladesh demonstrated resilience and potential for even greater success in the coming years.
Notably, due to exam schedule disruptions caused by the HSC rescheduling, one Bangladeshi team member was unable to take part in all rounds. Separately, another Bangladeshi passport-holder, competing with the Singapore team, achieved a bronze medal.
Looking ahead, the 19th IOAA will be hosted by Vietnam in 2026, while Bangladesh’s own 9th BDOAA will begin in November 2025 to select and prepare the next national team.