Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Alina Chembayeva, a 10th-grade student from Tashkent School No. 246, will represent Uzbekistan in the international scientific and educational expedition "Knowledge Icebreaker," which will head to the North Pole in August 2025 aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy ("50 Years of Victory").

Alina is among the winners of the international competition of the same name, organized with the support of Russia’s State Corporation Rosatom. This year’s competition brought together nearly four thousand school students from 20 countries, including India, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, China, and others. Following a rigorous selection process, 20 top international students were chosen to take part in the expedition.

The "Knowledge Icebreaker" project, now in its sixth year, has established itself as a unique educational platform that fosters young people's interest in science, technology, and global challenges. Participants had to go through a series of intellectual challenges ranging from quizzes and webinars to creative video presentations on nuclear technologies and their potential in the participating countries. Their work was evaluated by an international jury comprising experts in science, energy, and education.

According to Alina Chembayeva, her journey toward joining the Arctic expedition began two years ago: "I first heard about the 'Knowledge Icebreaker' through a video by a finalist of the 'Bolshaya Peremena' contest, who talked about his trip to the North Pole. His story inspired me. This year, a friend sent me a link to register — and I felt I had to try," the student shared.

She admits that growing up in a warm climate, she never imagined she would one day find herself in the icy desert of the Arctic: "This won’t just be a geographical discovery — it’ll be a personal one. I believe that after visiting the northernmost point on Earth, you begin to see the world differently and feel a greater sense of responsibility toward it. I want to understand where to go next and how I can be useful not only to myself but also to the world around me."

Uzbekistan was first represented in the "Knowledge Icebreaker" project last year by Shahzoda Yokubova, a graduate of the Tashkent branch of MEPhI (National Research Nuclear University). During the Arctic voyage, she served as an expert, gave lectures on particle physics, and worked to popularize science among participants.

The 2025 expedition coincides with two major anniversaries: the 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry and the 500th anniversary of the exploration of the Northern Sea Route. A total of 65 students aged 14 to 16 — winners of national and international competitions and laureates of scientific and educational projects — will take part. Over ten days, they will engage in an intensive educational program in the Arctic under the guidance of scientists, mentors, and organizers.

Rosatom emphasizes that the "Knowledge Icebreaker" is not merely an educational event or a sightseeing trip, but a platform for shaping a new generation of researchers and innovators. The project aims to involve teenagers in key scientific and technological fields — from nuclear energy to environmental science and Arctic logistics.