Historic achievement: The Saudi national science and engineering team shines at ISEF
A warm welcome for the nation's heroes at King Khalid Airport
In a scene of national pride and joy, the Saudi Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) team received a grand official and public welcome upon their arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. This reception was a culmination of their exceptional and distinguished participation in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2026), held in the United States. Among those welcoming the champions were the Deputy Minister of Education for Public Education, Dr. Saad bin Awad Al-Harbi, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Anqari, along with a number of leaders from the Ministry of Education and Mawhiba, as well as the students' families, who expressed their overwhelming joy at this historic achievement.
Details of the Saudi achievement at ISEF 2026
The Saudi national team, comprised of 40 outstanding young Saudi students, made a remarkable appearance at this global event, securing 24 prestigious international awards. These awards included 12 major prizes in specialized scientific fields, as well as 12 special awards presented by leading international companies, universities, and scientific institutions. Perhaps the most significant achievement was Saudi Arabia's attainment of first place globally in computational biology and informatics, a specialized field that reflects the advanced methodological and scientific capabilities of the nation's youth in understanding and applying modern technologies to solve complex biological problems.
Historical context and importance of the ISEF exhibition
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world’s largest pre-college science and innovation competition, attracting thousands of talented students from over 80 countries annually. Saudi Arabia’s participation in this fair is part of a long-term national strategy led by the Ministry of Education in strategic partnership with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba). Over the years, these entities have worked to identify and nurture gifted students through intensive training programs, science camps, and an environment conducive to innovation, making the Kingdom a formidable competitor on the international stage year after year.
Expected impact and alignment with Saudi Vision 2030
This achievement carries profound strategic dimensions that extend far beyond simply winning a competition; it truly reflects the success of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically the Human Capital Development Program. Locally, this victory inspires thousands of students in Saudi schools to follow in their peers' footsteps, thus strengthening the culture of scientific research and innovation within the community. Regionally, this excellence reaffirms the Kingdom's leadership as a scientific soft power in the Middle East, capable of exporting knowledge and innovation. Internationally, it solidifies Saudi Arabia's position in the fields of science and technology, demonstrating to the world that investing in young minds is the winning strategy for building a sustainable knowledge-based economy.
The wise leadership's support for the path of innovation
In a statement during the reception, Dr. Saad bin Awad Al-Harbi affirmed that this significant national achievement is a natural extension of the generous and unwavering support provided by the wise leadership to the education, talent, and innovation sector. He pointed out that the leadership's continuous commitment to empowering students, investing in their abilities, and creating a stimulating environment for them is the foundation that has contributed to developing their skills and enhancing the Kingdom's presence and leadership in international scientific forums. Al-Harbi also extended his sincere congratulations to the winning students, their families who provided them with psychological and social support, and their teachers who were partners in this success. He commended the high-quality scientific projects with which they competed against elite innovators from around the world, emphasizing that these champions are the pillars of a prosperous future built on science, technology, and innovation.
