Muhammad Alfarisie from Indonesia is one of the ambassadors for the Russian Nuclear Education Ambassadors Program, which aims to increase the visibility of Russian universities and attract international students to study in Russia. The ambassadors are foreign students enrolled in Russian universities. Muhammad Alfarisie calls himself a “nuclear enthusiast.” He believes that the nuclear industry is a development driver for both his home country and the entire world. Muhammad dreams of becoming a “nuclear influencer” and spreading knowledge about nuclear energy.
My name is Muhammad Alfarisie, and I am from Indonesia where I was born and raised. I am currently in my final year of the Master’s program in Nuclear Power Engineering at Rosatom’s backbone university, the National Nuclear Research University MEPhI. Located in Moscow, the capital of Russia, MEPhI ranks among Russia’s top five universities specializing in engineering and technical physics. It plays a key role in training personnel for the national nuclear sector. MEPhI also collaborates with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other leading international organizations.
I love solving complex tasks, diving deep into scientific research. The main thing that drove me into becoming a nuclear enthusiast was the widespread misconception, especially in Indonesia, that nuclear technology is solely about danger. The more I study it, the more convinced I am: nuclear energy is a tremendous force that, when used correctly, can benefit humanity enormously. That’s why I chose this path and actively promote this message.
I chose Russia because it is an undisputed leader in nuclear technology—the fact I think many would agree with. Beyond providing top-tier knowledge, Russian education has taught me discipline and professional ethics. My family fully supports me. They understand my obsession with this field and trust my decision. Though I am the first nuclear enthusiast in my family, I hope my passion sparks a chain reaction of inspiration for future generations.
Not at all. The admission process was transparent and well-structured. Having clear timelines for each stage was particularly helpful.
How is your training going?
It has been amazing! I study a lot, focusing particularly on nuclear reactor systems. The hardest subject for me is Russian, while reactor physics is the easiest.
Oh yes, mastering Russian was a real challenge. The first big surprise was the Cyrillic alphabet, which is completely different from anything I knew. I also have a love-hate relationship with winter— it is so beautiful but so brutally cold! I have also been fascinated by Russian traditions like Maslenitsa, the spring festival when everyone eats pancakes before Lent.
I love walking in parks, especially in summer. Moscow has so many beautiful ones.
This might sound unusual, but my ultimate goal is to become a “nuclear influencer.” I want the public to know nuclear advancements and make nuclear science accessible to everyone and enjoyable to understand. This is not just an academic mission—it is a social imperative. Knowledge about nuclear tech should be universal, and not confined to physics or math enthusiasts. To make that happen, we must be able to adapt complex ideas for diverse audiences.
I will return to Indonesia to continue my mission as a nuclear influencer. Speaking about more ambitious plans, I want to contribute to the nuclear policymaking in my country. Wish me luck!
Indonesia embarked on nuclear research in the 1950s. There are three operating research reactors in my country. Our nuclear industry is now developing steadily. But while we have strong academic and research foundations, we need expertise in government policies and commercial project management. This is where Russia’s expertise is invaluable. Nuclear development offers immense opportunities for Indonesia. Atomic energy and irradiation solutions for agriculture, medicine, and industry are critical for my country’s progress.
I dream of having a nuclear facility, perhaps even a global one, bear my name. My personal contribution will focus on public enlightenment as I want to bridge gaps between science and society through education, publicity, and communication.
Be like nuclear fission! Start a chain reaction of passion, knowledge, and persistence, and let it grow exponentially.
Photo by: From the personal archive
