Riyadh is hosting 259 male and female students for the First Elite Gathering 2026, organized by the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) with strategic participation from the Ministry of Education.
According to SPA, the program is part of the Mawhiba plan for international olympiads and runs until August 21. It serves as the first training stage for students who passed the National Olympiad for Science and Mathematics (Mawhiba) and qualified for the final stage, including astronomy and space candidates from the physics track.
Over 12 days, participants undergo intensive training in seven fields: mathematics, chemistry, physics, astronomy and space, biology, informatics, and science. The training is conducted by scientific olympiad specialists and instructors to teach advanced problem-solving strategies and improve performance in selection tests.
The gathering aims to prepare students to join national teams and represent Saudi Arabia in regional and international scientific olympiads to compete for global titles.
Who is participating in the First Elite Gathering 2026? The gathering includes 259 male and female students in Riyadh. These participants are selected students who passed the National Olympiad for Science and Mathematics (Mawhiba) and qualified for the final stage, including those nominated for astronomy and space through the physics track.
What are the academic fields covered during the training? Students undergo intensive training over 12 days across seven specific disciplines. These fields include mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, informatics, science, and astronomy and space, all under the supervision of scientific olympiad specialists and instructors.
What are the goals of the Mawhiba training program? The program aims to complete educational plans related to international olympiad topics and teach advanced problem-solving strategies. It is designed to strengthen students’ ability to handle complex scientific problems and improve their performance in selection tests to join national teams.