Mawhiba Celebrates 107 Global Awards, Expands Youth Programs

Riyadh, September 22, 2024 — Saudi Arabia’s gifted youth secured 107 international awards across 25 competitions over the past year, according to a report released by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) on the occasion of the Kingdom’s 94th National Day. The milestone reflects the foundation’s expanding role in identifying and nurturing exceptional talent, both at home and on the global stage. Mawhiba also reported that more than 582,000 students participated in its programs domestically, underscoring the scale of its outreach and the Kingdom’s commitment to human capital development.

Context and Background

Established to unlock the potential of gifted Saudi students, Mawhiba has become a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s efforts to build a knowledge-based economy. Its programs span mathematics, informatics, biology, astronomy, artificial intelligence, and scientific creativity, providing students with pathways from early discovery to international competition. The foundation’s annual report, released in conjunction with National Day, highlights how these efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030, which places education and innovation at the heart of national transformation. Over the past year, Mawhiba’s domestic competitions attracted hundreds of thousands of participants, while its international presence expanded to include five new Olympiads, signaling a deliberate strategy to benchmark Saudi talent against the world’s best.

Key Details

Domestic engagement reached new heights in the past year. The Mawhoop Competition drew 37,720 students, while the Kangaroo Mawhiba Math Competition attracted 42,702 participants. The Bebras Mawhiba Informatics Competition and the National Olympiad for Programming and AI (ATHKA) garnered 32,094 and 260,308 participants, respectively. The National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity set a new record with over 210,000 applicants.

These efforts led to the discovery of 28,265 talented students, and Mawhiba has now sponsored more than 100,000 students in total. On the international stage, Saudi students earned 107 awards at 25 competitions, a testament to the quality of preparation and mentorship provided. Mawhiba also expanded its international participation to five new Olympiads: the International Nuclear Science Olympiad, the International Avicenna Olympiad in Biology, the International Astronomy Olympiad, the International Specifications Olympiad, and the International Artificial Intelligence Olympiad.

Beyond competitions, Mawhiba carried out summer enrichment programs in 16 cities and partnered with 155 schools to offer specialized “Mawhiba Classes.” The foundation also earned four international ISO certifications for quality management, environment, risk management, and occupational health and safety, demonstrating a commitment to institutional excellence and sustainability.

Implications and Impact

The achievements signal a broadening of Saudi Arabia’s talent pipeline, with students now competing in fields critical to future economic competitiveness, including artificial intelligence, nuclear science, and biology. The record participation in national Olympiads indicates growing awareness among students and families about the value of STEM education. Internationally, the awards enhance the Kingdom’s reputation as an emerging hub for innovation and academic excellence, attracting attention from global educational institutions and potential partners. The ISO certifications further position Mawhiba as a credible, well-governed organization capable of managing large-scale programs and international collaborations, which is essential for sustaining growth and attracting investment in human capital.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Mawhiba’s accomplishments are directly aligned with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of building a diversified, knowledge-driven economy. By identifying and supporting gifted youth, the foundation contributes to developing a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation in priority sectors such as technology, health, and renewable energy. The expansion into new international Olympiads and the adoption of rigorous quality standards reflect the Vision’s emphasis on excellence, sustainability, and global engagement. As Saudi Arabia continues its transformation, Mawhiba’s work ensures that the next generation of leaders and innovators is ready to compete and collaborate on the world stage, reinforcing the Kingdom’s long-term prosperity and its role as a global partner in education and science.

20 Questions

Q1. What is Mawhiba?

A1. Mawhiba is the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, a Saudi foundation dedicated to identifying and nurturing gifted students.

Q2. How many international awards did Saudi students win?

A2. Saudi students secured 107 awards at 25 international competitions over the past year, according to Mawhiba’s report.

Q3. How many students participated in Mawhiba programs?

A3. More than 582,000 students participated in Mawhiba’s various programs domestically during the past year.

Q4. What is the Mawhoop Competition?

A4. The Mawhoop Competition is a national contest that attracted 37,720 students this year, designed to identify and celebrate giftedness.

Q5. How many students joined the Kangaroo Mawhiba Math Competition?

A5. The Kangaroo Mawhiba Math Competition had 42,702 participants, reflecting strong interest in mathematics.

Q6. What is ATHKA?

A6. ATHKA is the National Olympiad for Programming and AI, which drew 260,308 participants this year.

Q7. How many applicants did the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity receive?

A7. The National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity set a new record with over 210,000 applicants.

Q8. How many talented students has Mawhiba discovered?

A8. Mawhiba’s efforts have led to the discovery of 28,265 talented students across the Kingdom.

Q9. How many students has Mawhiba sponsored?

A9. Mawhiba has sponsored more than 100,000 students, providing them with opportunities to develop their talents.

Q10. What new international Olympiads did Mawhiba join?

A10. Mawhiba joined five new Olympiads: Nuclear Science, Avicenna Biology, Astronomy, Specifications, and Artificial Intelligence.

Q11. In how many cities did Mawhiba hold summer enrichment programs?

A11. Mawhiba carried out summer enrichment programs in 16 cities across Saudi Arabia.

Q12. How many schools partnered with Mawhiba for Mawhiba Classes?

A12. Mawhiba partnered with 155 schools to offer specialized “Mawhiba Classes.”

Q13. What ISO certifications did Mawhiba receive?

A13. Mawhiba earned four ISO certifications for quality management, environment, risk management, and occupational health and safety.

Q14. Why are ISO certifications significant for Mawhiba?

A14. They demonstrate Mawhiba’s commitment to quality and sustainability, enhancing its credibility for international partnerships and program management.

Q15. How does Mawhiba align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A15. Mawhiba supports Vision 2030 by developing skilled youth in STEM fields, contributing to a knowledge-based economy and global competitiveness.

Q16. What fields do Mawhiba’s international competitions cover?

A16. They cover mathematics, informatics, biology, astronomy, nuclear science, artificial intelligence, and scientific creativity.

Q17. When was the Mawhiba report released?

A17. The report was released on September 22, 2024, on the occasion of Saudi Arabia’s 94th National Day.

Q18. What is the significance of the 107 international awards?

A18. They highlight the success of Saudi Arabia’s investment in gifted education and the ability of its youth to compete globally.

Q19. How does Mawhiba support students beyond competitions?

A19. Mawhiba offers summer enrichment programs, specialized classes in partner schools, and sponsorship for talented students.

Q20. What is Mawhiba’s role in Saudi Arabia’s future?

A20. Mawhiba is pivotal in nurturing future innovators and leaders, ensuring the Kingdom’s continued progress and global engagement.

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