🚢 Southeast Asian students join Rosatom’s Arctic icebreaker expedition
Indonesian Priya Wicaksono even celebrates birthday at the North Pole 🎂🇮🇩❄️
The Main Takeaway
66 students from 21 countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, and Myanmar, joined the Icebreaker of Knowledge expedition aboard the nuclear icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy.
Representing Indonesia, Priya Wicaksono reached the geographic North Pole — on his birthday and Indonesia’s Independence Day. 🎉🌏
Why It’s on Our Radar
🌍 Highlights Southeast Asian youth in global science diplomacy
⚛️ Nuclear energy education linked to climate, agriculture & health
🇮🇩 Indonesia explores floating nuclear reactors to support its island energy needs
What’s at Stake
👩🔬 Inspiring the next generation of scientists in Southeast Asia
💡 Nuclear energy debates: innovation vs. safety, affordability & resilience
🌏 International exposure for Southeast Asian youth in frontier research
The Big Picture
For 10 days, participants studied nuclear & space technologies, met global experts, and conducted experiments only possible in the Arctic. The icebreaker’s arrival at the Pole on Aug 17 marked both Indonesia’s Independence Day and Priya’s birthday.
“I have never celebrated my birthday in such a special place — on top of the world,” said Priya.
Why This Hits Home
For Indonesia, the experience underscores the relevance of floating nuclear power as a solution for its thousand islands, offering more resilient energy compared to traditional power plants. ⚛️⚡
🌟 BRIN’s Topan Setiadipura joined as an expert, stressing nuclear potential for Indonesia’s 2032 energy plan
Somehow it strongly relates to Indonesian dream and plan to have a nuclear energy as one of its energy supply In 2032. This particular nuclear icebreaker technology also strengthen the option of having a floating nuclear power plant in our country with thousand islands. It is a matured technology using a well established pressurized water-cooled reactor (PWR), “– Topan Setiadipura, Head of Research Center for Nuclear Reactor Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
Beyond the Headlines
🛰️ Space link — Rosatom & Roscosmos tested autonomous rover prototypes under Arctic conditions for future planetary exploration.
🌍 Science diplomacy — The expedition united youth from Asia, Africa, Latin America & Europe, showcasing global cooperation through science.
🐻 Participants also spotted polar bears & unfurled the Russian flag for Russia’s National Flag Day.
(QOB)