The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is preparing to make a significant impact on the international scientific stage, as the Saudi Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2026)the event. ISEF is the world's largest pre-college science competition and will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, from May 9 to 15.
Historical background and context of Saudi participation
This participation, organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, is a continuation of a journey filled with achievements that began in 2007. Over the past years, young Saudi minds have proven their ability to compete globally, with the Kingdom winning 185 prestigious awards throughout its participation history, including 124 major awards and 61 special awards. This impressive record reflects the significant development witnessed in the education sector and the nurturing of gifted individuals in the Kingdom, which aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 aimed at building a knowledge-based economy and investing in human capital.
The importance of the ISEF exhibition and its global impact
The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is a leading global platform that brings together thousands of innovative students from over 80 countries and regions worldwide. The fair offers young people a unique opportunity to showcase their research and innovation projects across 22 scientific and engineering disciplines before a panel of distinguished scientists and experts, including Nobel laureates. ISEF's significance extends beyond the prestigious awards it presents; it fosters the exchange of experiences and cultures, inspiring a new generation of innovators and scientists capable of addressing global challenges.
The journey of selecting the elite from “Ibdaa” to “ISEF”
The selection of the 42 participating students was not a coincidence, but rather the result of a long and rigorous competitive process that began with the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, “Ibdaa 2026.”This year’s Olympiad witnessed a record participation of over 357,000 students, who submitted more than 34,000 scientific projects. Participants underwent several stages of evaluation and judging, including 16 regional exhibitions and 4 central exhibitions, culminating in the final exhibition where the winners were crowned. Following this, the selected candidates joined an intensive training camp at the “Mishkat” Interactive Center, aimed at refining their skills and developing their projects to be competitive at the highest international levels.
Expected impact of Saudi participation
Locally, this participation contributes to fostering a culture of scientific research and innovation among young people, and encourages more students to engage in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Internationally, achieving new milestones at ISEF 2026 will enhance the Kingdom's position as a leading regional hub for science and innovation, and showcase to the world the quality of its educational outcomes and the successful investment in the young minds that represent the nation's future.
