Bangladeshi student wins Rosatom global contest, secures rare North Pole expedition

A Bangladeshi student has won a prestigious international science competition organized by Russia's State Nuclear Energy Corporation Rosatom, earning a coveted place on a rare expedition to the North Pole.

Md Malekul Salehin Prottoy, a Class X student of Rajshahi Cadet College, emerged as one of the winners of the seventh edition of Rosatom's global educational initiative, Icebreaker of Knowledge, outperforming nearly 5,000 participants aged 14-16 from 22 countries.

The winners were announced on June 23 at Moscow's Museum of Atomic Energy. In August, Prottoy will join fellow winners aboard the 50 Let Pobedy, the world's largest nuclear-powered icebreaker, for a scientific expedition to the Arctic.

The competition featured three stages: a science quiz covering nuclear energy, Arctic exploration and emerging technologies, expert-led educational webinars, and a final presentation on "How Nuclear Technologies Are Changing the World Today." Finalists were evaluated by an international jury comprising experts in science, education, the nuclear industry and Arctic research.

"I still find it hard to believe this opportunity has become a reality," Prottoy said. "This is more than a journey—it's a chance to step beyond the familiar and see how vast the world of science can be. I hope this experience inspires my future."

The expedition will bring together top-performing students from around the world to explore the Arctic, participate in scientific experiments, attend lectures and workshops, and gain firsthand insight into Rosatom's nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet.

Rosatom's Icebreaker of Knowledge programme aims to promote STEM education, nurture young scientific talent, and encourage careers in science and engineering while highlighting the role of nuclear technology in Arctic research and international scientific cooperation.