Mawhiba: 99,000 students participate in the Nesmo Science and Mathematics Olympiad
In a national achievement reflecting the growing passion for knowledge and innovation, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) the registration of 99,179 male and female students in the first edition of the National Science and Mathematics Olympiad, "Nasmu." This massive event, held in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, will cover 8,356 schools across 47 cities and governorates in 16 educational regions, making it the largest scientific competition of its kind in the Kingdom.
National context and ambitious vision
This overwhelming response is not merely a statistic; it is a practical manifestation of the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , specifically the Human Capital Development Program, which aims to cultivate globally competitive citizens. Since its inception, Mawhiba has been working to discover and nurture talented individuals to become future leaders in scientific and technological fields. The launch of the "Nasmo" Olympiad serves as a vital link in promoting scientific culture within the educational community and providing a competitive environment that mirrors international competitions, thereby contributing to raising the quality of educational outcomes and discovering gifted individuals at an early age.
Geographical distribution and specialization details
Statistics revealed a competitive disparity between regions, with the Riyadh Education Department the list with 13,117 registered students, followed by the Makkah region with 9,565, and then the Eastern Province with 7,925. In terms of scientific disciplines, mathematics the largest share with 29,052 students, reflecting its importance as a fundamental pillar for other sciences. This was followed by computer science with 23,238 students, then biology, chemistry, physics, and general science.
Stages of competition and the road to global recognition
The first stage of the competition is scheduled to begin next Sunday, with students taking tests at the city and provincial levels. The Olympiad consists of three rigorous stages of selection and intensive training, culminating in the finals to be held in the capital, Riyadh. These progressive stages aim to hone students' higher-order thinking skills and enhance their abilities in scientific research and complex problem-solving.
Expected impact: Fuel for Saudi national teams
The "Nasmo" Olympiad holds immense strategic importance as it serves as the primary source of talent for Saudi Arabia's national science and engineering teams . The outstanding students participating in this Olympiad will form the core group that will be prepared to represent the Kingdom in major international competitions, such as the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) and the International Chemistry and Physics Olympiads. In recent years, the Kingdom has made significant strides in these competitions, winning hundreds of international medals. "Nasmo" is expected to contribute to expanding the talent pool and ensuring the sustainability of Saudi excellence regionally and internationally, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a center of scientific influence in the region.
