Russian House in Dhaka, in cooperation with the Bangladesh Astronomical Association, hosted SPUTNIKFEST 2026, marking the 69th anniversary of Sputnik-1 — the world’s first artificial satellite, launched by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957.
Students from several schools and colleges in Dhaka, as well as educational institutions from outside the capital, took part in the programme, joining teachers, astronomy enthusiasts and other guests for an evening dedicated to space science and exploration.
The programme featured a Photography Exhibition dedicated to Sputnik-1 and modern space exploration, a Science Quiz Competition for school and college students, a Seminar on Russian Space Activities, a Certificate Award Ceremony, and a Sky Observation Camp with telescope-assisted observation of the night sky.
The seminar brought together distinguished representatives from the academic and astronomical communities. Dr. Mohammad Jellur Rahman, Professor, Department of Physics, and Dr. Rehena Nasrin, Professor of Mathematics, from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), along with Moshurul Amin, Chairman of the Bangladesh Astronomical Association, and Alexandra Khlevnoy, Director of Russian House in Dhaka, participated in the seminar.
The speakers delivered short lectures on physics and astronomy, sharing knowledge and encouraging students to take a deeper interest in science and space exploration. Alexandra Khlevnoy also introduced the young participants to fully funded Russian Government Scholarship opportunities for higher education in Russia, including programmes in aerospace engineering, physics, astronomy and advanced technological disciplines.