A new Saudi achievement in international scientific forums
In a move reflecting the development of the educational system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi national mathematics team achieved a remarkable scientific accomplishment by winning three prestigious international awards at the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO). This edition of the Olympiad was held in Bordeaux, France, from April 9th to 15th, and witnessed fierce competition with the participation of 263 students representing 65 countries from around the world, highlighting the magnitude of the achievement and the strength of the global competition.
Details of the awards and the Kingdom's champions
The awards won by the Saudi female students reflected their clear excellence in complex mathematical thinking skills. Batoul Osama Al-Aidaroos, representing the General Directorate of Education in the Madinah region, won a bronze medal. Tala Faisal, from the General Directorate of Education in the Eastern Province, also won a bronze medal. Additionally, Fatima Hassan Al-Marhoon, also from the Eastern Province, received an international certificate of appreciation, demonstrating the high level of competitiveness of Saudi female students in prestigious scientific competitions.
Historical context of the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad
is The European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad ( an annual international competition for secondary school girls. The first edition was held in 2012 and hosted by the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The competition primarily aims to encourage girls to participate in mathematical and scientific competitions at both the national and international levels, and to promote their active involvement in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Since its inception, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been keen to participate actively, with its first participation occurring in the same year as the competition's founding (2012).
A glorious historical achievement for the Kingdom
With this latest victory in France, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's total tally in the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad has risen to 39 international awards. This historic achievement, attained through 14 consecutive participations, includes two gold medals, seven silver medals, 17 bronze medals, and 13 certificates of merit. This accumulation of achievements is not a coincidence, but rather the fruit of long-term strategic planning aimed at positioning the Kingdom among the scientifically advanced nations.
The importance of the event and its local and international impact
This achievement carries significant weight that extends far beyond simply winning medals; it aligns directly with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on building a knowledge-based society and an innovation-driven economy. Locally, this victory inspires thousands of Saudi female students to explore their passion for science and mathematics. Regionally and internationally, it solidifies the Kingdom's position as a rising power in exporting young minds and talents capable of solving complex problems, and underscores the success of Saudi women's empowerment programs across various scientific fields.
The role of “Mawhiba” and the strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education
This successful participation comes as part of the “Mawhiba for International Olympiads” program, implemented by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity “Mawhiba,” in close strategic partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Education. Mawhiba is a leading global institution in the field of discovering and nurturing gifted individuals. Before representing the Kingdom, students undergo a comprehensive and rigorous training journey, beginning with national competitions and progressing to specialized training programs and intensive camps. These programs are supervised by a select group of local and international experts, with the aim of honing students' abilities in solving advanced mathematical problems and developing their critical thinking skills, thus ensuring their complete readiness to proudly represent their nation on the international stage.
