Talent enters Guinness World Records in the world's largest competition for innovative solutions
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has achieved a new milestone in the annals of global excellence, with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) securing a Guinness World Record. This achievement was attained through the 16th National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, "Ibdaa 2026," which was officially recognized as the world's largest competition for innovative solutions, reflecting the significant scientific and technological advancements taking place in the Kingdom.
The certificate of registration in the global encyclopedia was received by the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mawhiba, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Anqari, and the Secretary-General of the Foundation, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Kridis, during the closing ceremony of the Olympiad in Riyadh. This recognition comes as a culmination of tremendous efforts, as this edition witnessed unprecedented participation with the registration of more than 357,000 male and female students from across the Kingdom, representing a growth rate exceeding 22.7% compared to last year. Students submitted more than 34,000 high-quality scientific projects for competition.
The significance of the numbers and the future of the knowledge economy
This achievement is not merely a record-breaking one; it carries profound implications for the Kingdom's economic and developmental future. The high number of participants reflects tangible success in fostering a culture of scientific research and innovation among young people, a cornerstone of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a sustainable knowledge-based economy. Investing in this vast pool of talented individuals means building a solid foundation of human capital capable of addressing future challenges and developing innovative solutions to global problems.
A gateway to global recognition and ISEF competitions
The National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, "Ibdaa," is the most important national platform that qualifies Saudi students to participate in international events, most notably the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The Kingdom has proven its excellence in these competitions in recent years, with Saudi students winning major awards and achieving top rankings, surpassing their peers from scientifically advanced countries. This Guinness World Record confirms that the pool from which these champions are selected is the largest and most comprehensive globally.
Strategic partnership to empower creators
The Secretary-General of Mawhiba, Abdulaziz Al-Kridis, affirmed that this global achievement is a result of the unwavering support provided by the wise leadership to the talent and innovation sector. He pointed out that the competition is based on a strategic and integrated partnership between Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education, where projects undergo rigorous judging by a select group of academics and experts according to strict scientific criteria. This ensures the selection of the most distinguished and applicable ideas, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a global hub for innovation and creativity.
