In a strategic move aimed at enhancing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's position on the global knowledge map, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) launched its first Elite Camp. This camp serves as a cornerstone for preparing and qualifying Saudi teams that will represent the Kingdom at international and regional scientific events in 2026. Training will take place in multiple locations, including Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as an overseas camp in Indonesia.
Details of the training program and scientific specializations
The first elite camp is distinguished by its comprehensiveness and intensity, with the participation of 214 male and female students from among the nation's brightest minds. They undergo an intensive 12-day training program from January 9th to 23rd. The training is supervised by a high-level academic staff comprising 38 expert local and international trainers, supported by a team of supervisors and assistants to ensure the training process is conducted according to the highest quality standards.
The camp covers seven rigorous and vital scientific tracks: mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, science, informatics, and astronomy and space. These tracks aim to refine students' theoretical and practical skills and equip them with advanced methodological tools that enable them to compete with their peers from over 120 countries worldwide.
Strategic partnerships and global training sites
To ensure a stimulating environment for creativity, the training locations were carefully selected. In Jeddah, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), a world-class research institution offering students access to advanced laboratories and facilities, hosts part of the training. King Saud University and the King Khalid Royal Reserve in Riyadh also participate in hosting events, along with an external training site in Indonesia, which aims to expose students to diverse training environments and international experiences.
Alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This camp is not an isolated event, but rather an integral part of the objectives of the Human Capital Development Program, one of the programs under the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Through the Mawhiba Foundation, the Kingdom seeks to invest in human capital, discovering and nurturing talented individuals to become future leaders and agents of change. Participation in approximately 30 international Olympiads annually is not merely competition, but a showcase of Saudi Arabia's soft power and the ability of its youth to excel in the fields of science and innovation.
A proven track record and a promising future
The first elite camp represents a pivotal stage in the nomination process for upcoming competitions, building upon a series of accumulated successes. Thanks to God, and then to the efforts of its youth and the support of its leadership, the Kingdom has achieved 996 international awards in various Olympiads and scientific competitions, ranging from gold and silver medals to bronze and special awards. This impressive number reflects the success of the methodology employed by Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education in cultivating a generation of young scientists capable of raising the Kingdom's profile on the international stage and contributing to the nation's scientific and economic advancement.
