Tashkent is hosting the 38th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI 2026), featuring the Saudi national informatics team alongside teams from approximately 100 countries.
According to SPA, the competition takes place from August 9 to 16. The Saudi team consists of four high school students who were prepared through the Mawhiba International Olympiad Program, a partnership between the Ministry of Education and the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba).
This event is the eighth time Saudi Arabia has participated in the competition. In seven previous appearances, Saudi students earned 11 international awards, which include four certificates of appreciation and seven bronze medals.
The selected students completed a qualification program involving selection competitions and intensive training camps. They also participated in simulation competitions to improve their strategy-building and problem-solving skills.
The IOI focuses on identifying young informatics talent to develop their ability to create software solutions and logical thinking. It encourages computer science specialization and the exchange of expertise between teachers, specialists, and students globally.
Who is representing Saudi Arabia at IOI 2026 and how were they prepared? Saudi Arabia is represented by a four-member team of high school students. These students were prepared under the supervision of the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in partnership with the Ministry of Education. Their preparation involved a comprehensive qualification program that included selection competitions and intensive training camps to identify top performers.
What is the history of Saudi Arabia’s performance in the International Olympiad in Informatics? The 2026 event in Tashkent marks the eighth time Saudi Arabia has participated in the competition. Across seven previous appearances, Saudi students have secured 11 international awards. These achievements specifically include seven bronze medals and four certificates of appreciation.
What are the goals and activities of the International Olympiad in Informatics? The IOI aims to develop logical thinking and the ability to build software solutions among young informatics talent. It encourages students to specialize in computer science and facilitates the exchange of expertise between students, informatics teachers, and specialists from around the world.