What is NOC-Bangladesh Office of IAU-OAO?
The NOC-Bangladesh Office of the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO) is the official national contact point for astronomy outreach in Bangladesh. It connects the country’s astronomy community with global IAU-OAO programs, resources, and campaigns. The office is structured around the National Outreach Coordinator (NOC), Deputy NOC, Team Leaders, Deputy Leaders, and a network of National Volunteers, all working voluntarily to promote “Astronomy for Everyone” across Bangladesh.
History
The National Outreach Coordinator (NOC) system was established globally in 2012 by the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach, with each country having an appointed representative. In Bangladesh, the appointed NOC is Professor Farseem Mannan Mohammedy, a leading astronomy communicator and educator. The NOC-Bangladesh Office is supported by Deputy NOC Shafayet Rahman, alongside Team Leaders, Deputy Leaders, and National Volunteers, ensuring both leadership and grassroots participation
Vision behind founding NOC-Bangladesh Office
The vision of the NOC-Bangladesh Office of IAU-OAO is to make astronomy accessible to all, regardless of background, geography, or resources. Its goal is to inspire curiosity about the universe through public engagement, education, and science communication tailored to Bangladesh’s cultural and educational context. By connecting local communities with IAU’s global outreach network, the office ensures access to international resources, training, and collaborative opportunities. A strong emphasis is placed on inclusivity, encouraging participation from students, teachers, and the wider public. “Astronomy for Everyone” stands as the guiding principle, fostering a lasting love of science and building pathways for the next generation of astronomers, educators, and enthusiasts. Ultimately, the vision is to create a sustainable and interconnected astronomy outreach network across the country.
What does the NOC-Bangladesh Office do in general?
The NOC-Bangladesh Office acts as the central hub connecting Bangladesh’s astronomy outreach community with the International Astronomical Union’s Office for Astronomy Outreach. It adapts and implements IAU-OAO’s global initiatives—such as World Space Week, 100 Hours of Astronomy, Women and Girls in Astronomy, citizen science projects, and dark-sky awareness campaigns—at the national level. The office coordinates with schools, universities, media, and partner organizations to spread astronomy awareness. Its teams handle translation of resources, podcast production, graphics and media design, school outreach, and web development. The office also ensures collaboration among local educators, researchers, and astronomy enthusiasts, while reporting national activities back to the IAU and contributing to global planning.
Structure: Leadership and Volunteers
The NOC-Bangladesh Office is led by the National Outreach Coordinator (NOC), Professor Farseem Mannan Mohammedy, supported by Deputy NOC Shafayet Rahman. Each of the six teams—Translation, Podcast, Graphics Design, AstroSchool, Web Design, and Human Resources—is guided by Team Leaders and Deputy Leaders. The backbone of the office is its National Volunteers, who engage in translation, outreach, event organization, and social media campaigns. Depending on the scale of activities, the office coordinates with 10–20 active volunteers at any given time, ensuring both strong leadership and wide grassroots participation.ation.