In a strategic move aimed at enhancing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s standing on the international scientific stage, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity “Mawhiba”, in cooperation with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology “KAUST”, launched an intensive training program to prepare and qualify 194 gifted male and female students to represent the Kingdom in international and regional science Olympiads scheduled during 2026.
Strategic partnership to enhance national talent
This ambitious program, taking place in Jeddah and running until May 21, embodies the effective partnership between Mawhiba, the Kingdom’s leading institution for discovering and nurturing gifted students, and KAUST, a global leader in research and innovation. This collaboration aims to provide a comprehensive academic environment that combines academic expertise with advanced training curricula, ensuring students are prepared to the highest standards for global competition.
Program objectives and training modules
The intensive training focuses on mastering advanced scientific topics in nine specialized disciplines: Mathematics (42 students), Informatics (37 students), Chemistry (23 students), Physics (23 students), Biology (23 students), Science (15 students), Astronomy and Space (12 students), Artificial Intelligence (12 students), and Nuclear Science (7 students). Each student receives 168 hours of training, totaling over 32,000 training hours for all participants, under the supervision of a select group of 32 Saudi and international trainers. The program equips students with advanced strategies for solving complex problems, analyzing past Olympiad questions, and enhancing their psychological and mental readiness for international competitions.
Supporting talented individuals is a key pillar of Vision 2030
This program comes within the framework of the Kingdom's strong focus on human capital as an integral part of Saudi Vision 2030. Developing the capabilities of talented youth in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a direct investment in the future of a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy. Since its inception, Mawhiba has been working to build a generation of leaders and innovators capable of driving development and achieving leadership for the Kingdom in various fields.
Expected impact on the international stage
International science Olympiads are prestigious global platforms that showcase the scientific excellence of participating nations. Through its annual participation in approximately 30 international and regional Olympiads, the Kingdom, represented by Mawhiba, strives to achieve accomplishments that reflect the quality of its educational and research system. Developing these students is not limited to winning medals; it extends to building the Kingdom's international reputation as a center for talent development, enhancing its soft power, and inspiring thousands of other students to follow in their footsteps, thus fostering a culture of excellence and innovation within society.
