Bangladeshi student joins North Pole expedition
Md Malekul Salehin (Prottay), a Class X student of Rajshahi Cadet College, has embarked on a rare educational and scientific expedition to the North Pole aboard Russia’s nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy.
He is representing Bangladesh alongside talented students from 21 other countries under the “Icebreaker of Knowledge” international programme organised by Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom.
According to a press release issued by Rosatom’s Media Wing, the 10-day expedition was officially launched at a ceremony held recently in Murmansk, Russia. The nuclear-powered icebreaker is commanded by Captain Ruslan Sasov.
During the voyage, participants will cross the Barents Sea, reach the Geographic North Pole (90°N), visit the Franz Josef Land archipelago, and return to Murmansk.
Prottay earned this unique opportunity by becoming one of the winners of the seventh edition of the multi-stage “Icebreaker of Knowledge” competition. More than 5,000 students from 22 countries-including Bangladesh, India, China, Brazil, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Türkiye and Vietnam-participated in the competition.
Expressing his excitement before the journey, Prottay said, “This is one of the most special days of my life. I never imagined that I would one day travel to the North Pole. The Arctic is a long way from Bangladesh, and I am incredibly excited about this expedition. I feel proud to represent my country on such an extraordinary journey.”
Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev said, “The Arctic is a place where the most innovative ideas are born.” He noted that the expedition brings together talented young minds from around the world and inspires them to help shape the future through science and technology.
He added that Russia’s unique fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers provides students with first-hand experience of advanced technologies while encouraging scientific innovation and environmental stewardship.
Throughout the expedition, participants will observe the operation of a nuclear-powered icebreaker, explore the Arctic environment, and learn about the role of nuclear technology in Arctic navigation. They will also attend lectures by leading experts in nuclear science, marine science and technology, and participate in scientific experiments, workshops, discussions, career guidance sessions and various creative activities.
One of the symbolic highlights of the expedition will be the raising of each participant’s national flag at the Geographic North Pole (90°N).
The programme also features renowned Russian science fiction author Sergey Lukyanenko as a special guest. He will conduct a collaborative creative writing workshop, and the science fiction story jointly written by the students will be published after the expedition.
The “Icebreaker of Knowledge” project aims to identify and nurture young talent worldwide while promoting science, technology and nuclear education among students aged 14 to 16. Over the previous six editions, the programme has taken more than 400 students from around the world on educational expeditions to the North Pole.
Russia is currently the only country in the world to operate a fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers. Managed by Rosatom’s enterprise, FSUE Atomflot, the fleet currently consists of eight nuclear-powered icebreakers. These vessels support navigation along the Northern Sea Route, the shortest maritime passage connecting Western Eurasia with the Asia-Pacific region.
