About
About CASSA
An autonomous research center of Independent University, Bangladesh — for astronomy & astrophysics and space & planetary science & engineering.
Who we are
The Center for Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics
CASSA is an autonomous, multidisciplinary research center of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), dedicated to the intermingled fields of astronomy and astrophysics (A&A), and space and planetary science and engineering (SPaSE). It was established on 14 August 2025.
CASSA's autonomy means it is administratively independent, working directly under the Office of the Vice Chancellor; an academic department of IUB may hold academic affiliation with the Center for its educational activities related to A&A and SPaSE.
CASSA grew from two predecessors: the Astronomy Research Group, IUB (ARGI), founded in mid-2020, and its successor the Computational and Observational Astronomy Lab (COALab), established in late 2023.
Five years in the making
From a research group to a Center
Origins
The genesis of the Center
From a one-person research group in 2020 to an autonomous research center in 2025 — the road to CASSA, across the ARGI, COALab, and CASSA eras.
Asad joins IUB and starts ARGI
Khan Muhammad Bin Asad joins Independent University, Bangladesh and founds the Astronomy Research Group, IUB (ARGI).
First national research grant
A 10-lakh BDT grant from the PTIT Ministry of Bangladesh supports the young astronomy programme.
Key paper on the MeerKAT antenna beam
A sparse model of the MeerKAT primary beam is published — foundational to the later PrimaBERA project.
IUB research grant
A 10-lakh BDT grant from IUB further builds the group's research capacity.
Key paper on the Galactic Center
A MeerKAT study of the Galactic Center draws international press attention.
IUB research grant
A 6-lakh BDT grant from IUB.
Asad visits the Dunlap Institute
A visit to the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Toronto, seeds the Durbin outreach partnership.
Two eQuinox telescopes arrive
Two Unistellar eQuinox telescopes arrive from the Dunlap Institute — the beginning of CASSA's outreach astrophotography.
Inauguration of Durbin
Durbin — the astrophotography and science-communication outreach programme — is launched.
Minor in A&A begins at IUB
The first Minor in Astronomy & Astrophysics in Bangladesh admits its inaugural students.
First student publication
A group student co-authors a peer-reviewed paper for the first time — the radio-galaxy classification (RGC) work.
The computing server Timaeus arrives
The group's first high-performance computing server, Timaeus, is installed.
ARGI becomes COALab
The Astronomy Research Group is reconstituted as the Computational and Observational Astronomy Lab (COALab).
COALab becomes CASSA
At the 159th Planning & Development Committee meeting — chaired by Trustee Mr. Lutfe M Ayub — COALab is set on the path to a full research center.
Board of Trustees presentation
Khan Asad presents the CASSA proposal to the 95th meeting of the Board of Trustees, presided by Chairman Mr. Didar A Husain.
Academic Council endorsement
The detailed proposal and constitution are endorsed at the 106th IUB Academic Council, presided by Vice Chancellor Prof. M. Tamim.
Syndicate approval
The proposal and constitution are approved at the 104th meeting of the IUB Syndicate, presided by Prof. M. Tamim.
Official beginning
CASSA receives final approval through a Vice Chancellor's Office Order — the Center is born.
IUB launches TART
TART, the first radio telescope, is launched at IUB — bringing radio-astronomy observation on-site at the Center.
S. A. Uddin joins IUB and CASSA
S. A. Uddin joins Independent University, Bangladesh and CASSA as an Associate Professor.
Get in touch
Contact
Manager (Science)
[email protected]Director
[email protected]Affiliation
Center for Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics, Independent University, Bangladesh, Dhaka 1245, Bangladesh.