The Central Creativity Exhibition 2026 kicks off in Madinah with wide participation

In a move reflecting the growing interest in building a generation of scientists and innovators, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, launched the central exhibition of the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, "Ibdaa 2026." The event was hosted in Madinah at the Taibah University Conference Center, amidst a notable academic and scientific presence.

The exhibition features a wide range of projects, including 104 qualified scientific projects representing the work of promising minds from seven public education departments. These projects span 22 specialized scientific fields, falling under four main tracks directly linked to the Kingdom's national research and innovation priorities, reflecting the alignment between educational outcomes and national development goals.

The journey of creativity: from local to global

The central exhibition in Medina is more than just a showcase; it's a pivotal stage in the long journey of talented students. Participants undergo intensive training workshops and rigorous judging sessions by specialized committees, which assess the scientific methodology and innovative novelty of their projects. This exhibition serves as a prelude to subsequent events in Jeddah, culminating in the final event in Riyadh.

These exhibitions are of paramount importance as they serve as the primary gateway for selecting projects that will represent Saudi Arabia at international events, most notably the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held annually in the United States. These preparations come at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing significant strides in this international arena, with the Saudi science and engineering team achieving historic milestones in previous editions, thus raising expectations for the projects participating in "Ibdaa 2026.".

Record numbers and a promising future

In a related development, Mawhiba revealed an unprecedented record number of registrations for this year's edition, exceeding 357,000 students from across the Kingdom. This impressive figure not only reflects the success of awareness campaigns but also indicates a profound societal shift towards valuing science and innovation, and a growing passion for scientific research among young people.

This scientific initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes investment in human capital and the development of national capabilities, aiming to transform the Kingdom into a knowledge-based economy. The ongoing partnership between Mawhiba, the Ministry of Education, and Taibah University underscores the integrated roles of national institutions in discovering and nurturing talented individuals, and in providing a supportive environment that transforms research ideas into pioneering projects that benefit humanity.