Durbin Training Camp 2

In alignment with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) global theme, Women and Girls in Astronomy, we are excited to announce Durbin Training Camp 2. This event will be hosted at CASSA, Independent University, Bangladesh, from 6–7 March.

Durbin facilitates a series of intensive workshops and training camps designed to identify and recruit dedicated new volunteers through an exclusive fast-track process. This journey began in January 2025 with an inaugural workshop led by Dr. Lamiya Mowla at the Asian University for Women (AUW), Chattogram, followed by a second session hosted at CASSA in January 2026. Complementing these are the Durbin Training Camps; the first was organized by Dr. Lamiya Mowla along the banks of the Dhaleshwari River in Keraniganj, while the upcoming second Training Camp is set to take place at CASSA.

While Durbin recruitment remains open year-round via the standard procedures outlined in the Durbin Manual, these sessions offer a high-intensity entry point for aspiring members. Participants who excelled in the second workshop have already joined the ranks as Volunteer Applicants, and the same pathway will be available to those attending the upcoming March camp. If you are eager to contribute to our cosmic mission and accelerate your involvement, we encourage you to review the application details below and prepare to join our growing community of explorers.

Please note that mastery of the Durbin Workshop 2 materials is a prerequisite for this Training Camp; we expect all applicants to be familiar with those core concepts before applying.

Program

Day 1: Mar 6 (in person at CASSA)	Day 2: Mar 7 (in person at CASSA)
10 am: Observing the Night Sky	02:00 pm: Hands-on solar observation
11:30 am: Telescopes and Detectors	07:00 pm: Planetary and Deep Space Observation
03 pm: Citizen Science with Unistellar

* The observations have to be done by each group separately. The participants will be divided into 6 groups.

Resources: (https://astro.unl.edu/naap/)

Topics:

1. Basic Coordinate and Seasons
2. The Rotating Sky
3. Cosmic Distance Ladder

word version: naap_distance_sg_08

Assessment Pretest: Must be completed together as a group.

Assessment Posttest: Must be completed and submitted individually.

Instructor

Dr. Syed Ashraf Uddin Associate Professor Department of Physical Sciences Independent University, Bangladesh

Participation

• Seats: 30. We have 60% seats available for women participants only. Financial aid available for women participants outside Dhaka.
• Application form: https://forms.gle/xpLHCkN5HBmVoV5F9
• Deadline: February 24, 2026 (11:59:59 PM)
• Decision Announcement: February 28, 2026

Participant List

Name	City	Institution
Adiba Habiba	Dhaka	United International University
Adita Ferdous	Dhaka	Brac University
Ali Newaj	Chattogram	University of Chittagong
Ashratul Zannati Purnota	Dhaka	Independent University, Bangladesh
Asmaul Husna Juhana	Dhaka	Independent University, Bangladesh
Avranil Mitra	Dhaka	Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University
Fabia Farzana Tisha	Dhaka	American International University Bangladesh
Farhana Ferdous	Dhaka	BRAC University
Fariba Nehreen Binti	Chattogram	University of Chittagong
Farzana Yasmin	Dhaka	Daffodil International University
Hredeta Nag	Dhaka	Independent University, Bangladesh
Iman Sheikh	Dhaka	Independent University, Bangladesh
Kashfia Rahman	Dhaka	Independent University Bangladesh
Kazi Nusrat Tasneem	Sylhet	Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Laboni Akter Setu	Barishal	Barishal University
M.O.B. JIHAD	Dhaka	American International University Bangladesh
Mahdi Hasan Mahi	Dhaka	BCIC College
Mahin Istiaz Jahan Tithy	Dhaka	Jagannath University
Mahjan Sabibia Aban	Dhaka	United International University
Masuk Ridwan Saumo	Dhaka	Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
MD MUNEM SHAHRIAR	Gazipur	National University (On-Campus)
Mizanur Rahman Howlader	Dinajpur	Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University
Most.Maftahul zannat	Dhaka	American International University Bangladesh
Mozammal Hossain Masum	Dhaka	Independent University, Bangladesh
MST. MARIA KHATUN	Pabna	Govt. Edward College
Mst. Nusrat Jahan Tabassum	Noakhali	Noakhali Science and Technology University
Mubashira Rahman Ibnat	Dhaka	Summerfield International School
Nafia Papry	Dhaka	BRAC University
Nafisa Tabbassum	Dhaka	United international University
Raiyan Kawsar	Dhaka	University of Dhaka
Rownok Shahariar	Pabna	Govt. Edward College
SADIA AFRIN	Jashore	Jashore University of Science and Technology
Shanjida Nahar	Gopalganj	Gopalganj Science and Technology University
Sujana Tanjin	Dhaka	Daffodil International University
Tanmoy Das	Dhaka	American International University Bangladesh
Tanzila Tabassum	Dhaka	Independent University, Bangladesh
Tasmia Tabasum Ami	Jashore	Jashore University of Science and Technology
Tasnin Ara	Pabna	Govt. Edward College
Yead Muhammad Ivan	Dhaka	BRAC University