A Namibian school learner has been selected to join a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to the North Pole after being named one of the winners of Rosatom’s international educational project, Icebreaker of Knowledge 2026.

Kadhikwa Tironenn Amutenya was announced as one of the international winners during the project’s final event at the Museum of Atomic Energy in Moscow. In August, he will travel aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy to the North Pole, where he will take part in an educational and scientific programme featuring lectures, workshops, experiments and interactive activities led by Russian and international experts. Nearly 5 000 learners between the ages of 14 and 16 from 23 countries, including Namibia, South Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania and Egypt, took part in the competition.

The finalists presented projects on the theme “How Nuclear Technologies Are Changing the World Today”, which were judged by an international panel of experts. Rosatom said the programme aims to encourage young people to explore careers in science, engineering and nuclear technology while giving them the opportunity to experience the Arctic first-hand. Namibia has participated in the Icebreaker of Knowledge project for several years, reflecting the country’s growing interest in the nuclear sector.

Cooperation between Namibia and Rosatom also includes plans for a framework agreement on the peaceful use of atomic energy and the Wings uranium project in the Omaheke Region.

By Eileen van der Schyff