A major international student competition focused on nuclear technology innovation is set to take place in Rwanda this May, as part of a global initiative to advance science education and foster international collaboration in the nuclear field.
The Global HackAtom challenge will bring together student teams from across Rwanda on May 29–30 at the University of Rwanda in Kigali. Participants will tackle real-world challenges in the nuclear sector, demonstrating their technical expertise and creativity through practical case studies. The top team will earn the honor of representing Rwanda at the international finals in Russia this September.
The event is being organized in collaboration with Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation, and supported by prestigious institutions such as MEPhI (National Research Nuclear University) and RUDN (Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia). Day one will feature expert-led lectures, while day two will showcase student presentations and evaluations.
This year’s competition also commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Russian nuclear industry, with national rounds held in nine countries, including Brazil, Indonesia, Hungary, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Serbia, Uzbekistan, and Rwanda. Each participating country will send a five-member team to the final stage during World Atomic Week in Russia.
Finalists will take part in technical workshops, cultural programs, and dialogues with global nuclear experts. Notably, this year’s theme will explore how nuclear technologies could support future space exploration.
“This initiative empowers young scientists to engage directly with nuclear innovation and energy solutions for the future,” said a regional organizer. “It’s about more than just competition—it’s about building a global community of next-generation experts.”
Launched in 2021, HackAtom has already involved hundreds of students worldwide and continues to inspire future professionals in nuclear science, engineering, and clean energy innovation.