The Minister of Industry celebrates the Saudi champions of the 2026 ISEF Awards
His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, received the Saudi Science and Engineering Team winners of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2026) awards, at the headquarters of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund. The reception was attended by prominent figures, including His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Khalid bin Faisal, CEO of the Fund; His Excellency Abdullah Al-Ahmari, Assistant Minister of Industry for Planning and Development; and Dr. Amal Al-Hazzaa, Secretary General of the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) (represented by the Acting Secretary General or other attending leaders such as Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Kridis).
The historical context and global importance of the ISEF exhibition
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world’s largest pre-college science competition, bringing together thousands of young minds from over 80 countries annually to compete in scientific research and innovation. Saudi Arabia’s participation in this event is a continuation of long-standing national efforts aimed at establishing a clear Saudi presence on the global science map. The Kingdom’s achievement of second place globally for the third consecutive year at ISEF 2026, with 24 international awards, is not a coincidence, but rather a reflection of meticulous strategic planning.
Details of the honorable national achievement
Minister Al-Khorayef expressed his pride in the sons and daughters of the nation, particularly praising the exceptional achievement of student Mohammed Nasser Al-Asmari from the Royal Commission Schools of Jubail and Yanbu, who won first place globally in the field of computational biology and informatics. His Excellency affirmed that the advanced educational environment in the Royal Commission cities serves as a leading global model for nurturing and developing creative and innovative talents, thus contributing to the graduation of generations capable of providing complex scientific solutions.
Expected impact: locally, regionally, and internationally
Domestically, these achievements serve as a powerful motivator for Saudi youth and directly support the goals of the Human Capital Development Program, a key component of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to cultivate a globally competitive citizenry. Furthermore, connecting these talents with the industrial and mining sectors ensures the localization of technology and the development of a sustainable knowledge-based economy.
On a regional level: The Kingdom is consolidating its leadership as the largest incubator for innovation and scientific research in the Middle East and North Africa region, making it an attractive destination for technological and scientific investments.
On the international level: This successive harvest of awards proves that Saudi minds are capable of competing with developed countries in exporting knowledge and innovations that serve all of humanity.
Strategic partnership between “Mawhiba” and the industrial ecosystem
The Secretary-General of Mawhiba, Abdulaziz Al-Kridis, explained that the journey of these champions began with the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity “Ibdaa 2026,” which witnessed a massive participation of over 357,000 students who submitted more than 34,000 scientific projects. These efforts are complemented by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, which works to build an enabling environment for talent through specialized programs such as the “Elite” program, organizing specialized hackathons, providing on-the-job training opportunities, and supporting the leadership track in energy and industry. This institutional collaboration ensures that student ideas are transformed into industrial and mining solutions that support comprehensive national development.
