Stargazing from Joypurhat Girls’ Cadet College

The journey of Durbin is not just about gazing at the stars in fascination, but an endeavor to find the light of potential within people. As part of one such endeavor, five volunteers from Durbin arrived at Joypurhat Girls’ Cadet College on October 17, 2025.

As they crossed the college gate and entered the campus, they noticed the distinctly charming environment of the Cadet College. The discipline, the timetable, and the attentive students in the afternoon session made them realize from the moment of their arrival that the day was going to be special!

During the afternoon session on the first day, the Cadet College authorities introduced the volunteers to all the students. They then presented Durbin’s identity to the cadets and displayed Durbin’s 3 telescopes and one binocular. On the second day, Durbin’s core volunteers held a session with the cadets in the afternoon, which primarily discussed telescopes.

The afternoon session was followed by a small tea break. Immediately after, the night sky observation began. Even with over three hundred students, they approached Durbin in small groups. This organized arrival made the entire observation phase smooth.

In addition to observing planets and stars for the first time with a telescope, the cadets showed great curiosity about how different telescopes work. Observing Saturn and its rings using the Stellarium app alongside the telescope, spotting constellations like Cassiopeia and the Pleiades with the naked eye, and observing the Andromeda Galaxy and other celestial objects with the Unistellar Equinox—in every such moment, the students’ astonishment seemed to illuminate the night sky even more. However, the Moon was not visible that night.

While gazing at the distant sky, various questions arose in the curious minds of the Cadet College students. There were about 300 students in total, yet there was a strange discipline in their questioning! Alongside questions about various objects and subjects in the universe and space, some of the noteworthy practical questions received that day included: What is the path for studying and building a career in Astronomy? How can one start research in Astronomy or Astrophysics from Bangladesh? How secure is a career if one studies Astrophysics? How should one proceed for higher education in Astronomy or Astrophysics abroad?

All in all, a sparkle was seen in the eyes of the students that night, a sparkle that is only found in the eyes of those who dream of touching the sky. Girls are not just participating in these activities now; they are truly interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, i.e., STEM-based education.

Not only the students, but the teachers were equally curious. They showed interest, asked questions, and noted how important girls’ participation in STEM is. It is hoped that this firsthand experience has further inspired them to provide opportunities for their college students to learn about Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Astronomy, Astrophysics, and STEM subjects in general were long considered “boys'” subjects. However, this notion is rapidly changing in the current era. The Durbin session at Joypurhat Girls’ Cadet College is seen as a reflection of this long-term change. The teachers already understand the need for girls’ participation in STEM, and this event showed that STEM is becoming normal and accessible for girls.

During the two-day event, Durbin’s volunteers visited two local historical sites. One was Lokma Rajbari, and the other was Somapura Mahavihara in Paharpur, a Buddhist monastery established around the eighth century, which can be called the first university of Bangladesh. This trip by the citizens of the distant world conveys a beautiful message: that the story of the earth is just as important as the story of the sky.

This journey tells us that if opportunities and proper encouragement are provided, the girls of Bangladesh can also uncover the unknown mysteries of the distant sky.

[Edited by Durbin and Gemini from a first draft of Sheikh Samia Akter Sami.]