Gerry Utama, an alumnus of the Faculty of Geography, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Geography UGM), class of 2011, has been awarded by the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) as the youngest Indonesian to explore the Antarctic continent at the age of 30. The recognition was granted for his role in the 69th Russian Antarctic Expedition organized by the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI). The award ceremony took place at the MURI office in Jakarta on Monday, Sep. 22, 2025.
The 69th Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) is a research program regularly conducted by AARI, headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Utama explained that his participation in the Antarctic expedition was part of the curriculum offered during his master’s studies in Quaternary Paleogeography at Saint Petersburg State University, where he is also pursuing his doctoral program.
This remarkable achievement by the UGM alumnus from Musi Banyuasin, South Sumatra, marks a historic milestone as he became the first person from Indonesia and Asia to gain access to a research program conducted by the Russian government.
“It was a great moment, coinciding with the 74th anniversary of Indonesia-Russia diplomatic relations,” said Utama, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.
According to him, the opportunity provided by Saint Petersburg State University was crucial, as such chances are rarely given, particularly since Indonesia has yet to ratify the Antarctic Treaty, an important instrument that allows countries to be fully involved in Antarctic exploration.
He also highlighted the extreme conditions he faced during the expedition, including working in temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celsius and adapting to the shifting time zones, which were determined by the ship’s activities and the operational schedule of Russian Antarctic stations.
During the expedition, Utama contributed to the development of a geomorphological map of King George Island and discovered a fossilized piece of wood estimated to be around 130 million years old.
“This finding provides evidence that Antarctica was once covered with lush green vegetation in the distant past,” he explained.
One of his most memorable experiences, Utama recalled, was his first landing at Mirny Station, the first Antarctic research station established by the Russian government on the continent of Antarctica.
“It was a significant moment, witnessing how meticulously the mobilization was organized aboard the Akademik Tryoshnikov vessel that carried us to Antarctica,” said Utama.
Utama emphasized that the recognition serves as motivation and an essential consensus for Indonesia’s future involvement in Antarctic exploration.
He hopes this achievement will inspire Indonesian researchers to actively participate in Antarctic studies, which play a crucial role in global climate change research.
Moreover, Indonesia is seen as having the potential to become the ASEAN hub for Antarctic research by taking concrete steps toward polar studies, particularly in Antarctica.
For Utama, the MURI record serves as an encouragement not only for himself but also for other Indonesian researchers.
“Personally, I will continue my doctoral studies and advance the research I have been working on to be fully involved in Antarctic exploration. Antarctic research is highly significant, especially in connecting Antarctic data with tropical regions such as Indonesia, providing comprehensive and robust analyses that are essential for advancing the field of geography,” he said.
He also encouraged students and young researchers with similar aspirations to start building habits that support their dreams, such as waking up early, exercising, and maintaining physical fitness.
“As researchers, we are not only required to be knowledgeable, but in the case of Antarctic studies, we must also be physically strong to withstand icy conditions,” he concluded.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographs: Gerry Utama