Jeddah Education Department wins 23 awards at Creativity 2026 and prepares for ISEF
In a new scientific achievement added to the records of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in knowledge forums, the students of Jeddah Education a remarkable and distinguished national presence, by winning 23 diverse awards, both major and special, local and international, at the conclusion of the competitions of the sixteenth edition of the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity “ Ibdaa 2026 ”.
Heroes welcomed at King Abdulaziz Airport
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah witnessed a grand celebratory scene this evening, as an official and public reception was held for the winning students upon their arrival. Among those present were the Assistant Director General of Education in Jeddah for Educational Affairs, along with a number of educational leaders and a large gathering of parents who came to celebrate their children.
The students were adorned with roses, amidst expressions of congratulations and blessings that filled the hall, in appreciation of their achievements that reflect the great development in the educational system, and in preparation for the most important stage, which is representing the Kingdom internationally.
“Creativity”... The Kingdom’s gateway to global recognition
The National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, "Ibdaa," organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity "Mawhiba" in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, is the Kingdom's premier national platform for discovering and nurturing scientific talent. This Olympiad aims to provide a competitive environment that encourages students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, and to cultivate their spirit of scientific inquiry and innovation.
This edition, "Ibdaa 2026," holds special significance as it serves as the primary gateway for selecting projects that will represent Saudi Arabia at the International Science and Engineering Fair ( ISEF 2026 ), the world's largest science competition for school students. This distinction for Jeddah students builds upon Saudi Arabia's strong presence in previous ISEF editions, where the Kingdom has become a formidable competitor to developed nations in winning top prizes.
Vision 2030 and investing in minds
This achievement cannot be separated from the broader context of the national transformation underway in the Kingdom under Vision 2030 , specifically the Human Capital Development Program. The wise leadership places great importance on supporting talented and innovative individuals, considering them the cornerstone of building a knowledge-based economy. These 23 awards garnered by Jeddah Education confirm that investing in minds and developing the educational environment has begun to bear tangible fruit, producing a generation capable of devising scientific solutions to real-world problems.
Praise and support from the leadership
For her part, the Director General of Education in Jeddah Governorate, Manal bint Mubarak Al-Lahibi, extended her warmest congratulations to the winning students and their families, as well as to their teachers and schools. In a statement, Al-Lahibi affirmed that this achievement clearly reflects the level of excellence and academic maturity attained by students in Jeddah's education system.
She noted that this excellence reflects the fruit of the generous support the education sector receives from the wise leadership, in addition to the integrated efforts of all three pillars of the educational system: the school, the family, and supervisory bodies. She also commended the pivotal role of the Capacity Development Department (Gifted Students Section) in monitoring and developing students through intensive training programs that contributed to honing their research skills.
Expectations for ISEF 2026
With this phase now concluded, attention turns to preparations for participation in upcoming international events, most notably ISEF 2026. The nation places great hope in these champions to continue their path of excellence and raise the Kingdom's flag high on global podiums, demonstrating to the world that Saudi students possess the ability and competence to compete, innovate, and shape the future.
