Indonesian Student Selected for International Arctic Science Expedition

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia will once again be represented in an international Arctic science expedition after high school student Galen Athaya Rinaldi Putra was selected to join Rosatom's Icebreaker of Knowledge 2026, highlighting the country's growing participation in global science and technology education.

Galen, a 16-year-old student at Taruna Nusantara High School in Malang, East Java, earned the opportunity to represent Indonesia aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy during the expedition to the North Pole.

According to a written statement from Rosatom received in Jakarta on Thursday, July 2, 2026, students aged 14 to 16 from 22 countries, including around 100 participants from Indonesia, took part in Rosatom's Icebreaker of Knowledge International Education Program.

Participants competed for a place in the unique scientific expedition aboard the 50 Let Pobedy, which is operated by Rosatom.

Galen was selected as Indonesia's representative after successfully completing the program's three-stage international selection process. "The competition required a lot of creativity, especially in producing videos and completing assignments at every stage," Galen said, as quoted by Antara.

"Each stage presented new challenges, so I had to keep improving my ideas and skills," he added.

Galen believes the expedition will become one of the most significant and unforgettable experiences of his life, describing it as a rare opportunity to explore the Arctic. "I hope to learn more about the Arctic environment, its wildlife, and make new friends from around the world," he further said.

The international expedition will bring together talented students from across the globe, offering them the opportunity to visit the North Pole, deepen their understanding of the Arctic and modern nuclear technology, and witness the operation of Rosatom's fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers, the only such fleet in the world.

During the voyage, participants will take part in an extensive educational and scientific program featuring Russian and international experts. This marks Indonesia's second participation in the Icebreaker of Knowledge program. Last year, the country was represented by Priya Agung Wicaksono.

The program includes lectures, workshops, scientific experiments, and interactive activities designed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

According to goarctic.energy, the Icebreaker of Knowledge 2026 expedition is scheduled to run from August 1 to September 1, with participants spending 10 days in the Arctic. ***