Saudi Arabia Tops INSO 2026 Nuclear Science Olympiad

Saudi Arabia has topped the third edition of the International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO 2026), securing first place overall and the title of “Ambassador of Nuclear Science,” alongside four international medals — two gold, one silver, and one bronze. The results, announced in Jeddah, mark a new international achievement that reinforces the Kingdom’s growing presence in global scientific competitions and underscores the distinction of its students in advanced science and technology fields.

Context and Background

The International Nuclear Science Olympiad was approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2024 as an international scientific competition designed to develop students’ knowledge and skills in nuclear science and its peaceful applications. It also encourages younger generations to specialize in related scientific fields and promotes scientific and cultural exchange among students from around the world.

Saudi Arabia hosted the third edition of the Olympiad for the first time in the Middle East, in the city of Jeddah from 2 to 9 August 2026, under the theme “Glowing Minds for a Promising Future.” The event brought together 120 students and scientific specialists from 19 countries, organized jointly by the Ministry of Education, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), and the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, with hosting support from King Abdulaziz University.

Key Details

Saudi student Amjad Mahmoud Issa Al-Darwish was crowned first place and gold medalist in the Olympiad, and also earned the title “Ambassador of Nuclear Science” after achieving the highest total score in both the theoretical and practical examinations among all competitors. Student Jana Saleh Abdullah Al-Sabeel won the gold medal and was awarded the Best Female Student prize presented by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Student Abdulaziz Abdulmohsen Al-Shurait earned the silver medal, while student Saleh Mubarak Daifallah Al-Harbi took the bronze medal.

Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Kredes, Secretary-General of Mawhiba, extended his congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the occasion of the Kingdom topping the results of the International Nuclear Science Olympiad 2026.

Al-Kredes affirmed that this achievement extends the support and care that the sons and daughters of the nation receive from the wise leadership, and its keenness to invest in citizens, develop their capabilities, and enable them to compete globally in priority scientific fields — strengthening their contribution to building an economy based on knowledge and innovation. He also valued the strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education and its integration in discovering, nurturing, and preparing gifted students for international scientific competitions, praising the partnership with the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy and King Abdulaziz University, and the efforts of all national bodies and committees that contributed to organizing and hosting the Olympiad.

International Impact

The achievement came as the fruit of intensive scientific preparation and qualification programs carried out by Mawhiba in partnership with the Ministry of Education. These included specialized training programs to develop students’ knowledge in nuclear sciences, sharpen their analytical, reasoning, and advanced scientific problem-solving skills, and raise their readiness for international competition.

Al-Kredes noted that the Kingdom’s success in hosting this international event, at the same time as its students topped its results, reflects the development of the talent and creativity ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and the efficiency of the national scientific team preparation programs — alongside the organizational capabilities that qualify the Kingdom to host the most prominent international scientific forums according to the highest standards. Achieving first place in a precise scientific specialty such as nuclear science confirms the ability of Saudi students to compete in advanced scientific fields and contributes to building a national base of qualified human competencies prepared to contribute to the future of science, technology, and its peaceful applications.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The accomplishment aligns directly with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which places human capability development, knowledge-based economic growth, and global scientific competitiveness at the center of the Kingdom’s long-term transformation. By investing in gifted students and enabling them to excel in priority fields such as nuclear science, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its position as a hub for innovation and a contributor to the peaceful applications of advanced technology — building a generation ready to serve the nation and the world.

20 Questions

Q1. What did Saudi Arabia achieve at the International Nuclear Science Olympiad 2026?

A1. Saudi Arabia topped the third edition of the International Nuclear Science Olympiad, securing first place overall, the title of Ambassador of Nuclear Science, and four international medals — two gold, one silver, and one bronze.

Q2. Where and when was the INSO 2026 held?

A2. The Olympiad was hosted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 2 to 9 August 2026, marking the first time the competition was held in the Middle East region.

Q3. Who won first place and the Ambassador of Nuclear Science title?

A3. Saudi student Amjad Mahmoud Issa Al-Darwish won first place and the gold medal, and earned the Ambassador of Nuclear Science title after achieving the highest total score in the theoretical and practical exams.

Q4. Which Saudi student received the Best Female Student prize?

A4. Student Jana Saleh Abdullah Al-Sabeel won the gold medal and the Best Female Student prize, which was presented by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Q5. How many medals did Saudi students win in total?

A5. Saudi students won four international medals in total: two gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal, reflecting strong performance across the competition.

Q6. Who are the other Saudi medalists?

A6. Abdulaziz Abdulmohsen Al-Shurait earned the silver medal, while Saleh Mubarak Daifallah Al-Harbi took the bronze medal, completing the Kingdom’s strong showing.

Q7. Which organizations organized the Olympiad?

A7. It was organized jointly by the Ministry of Education, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), and the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy.

Q8. How many countries and participants took part in INSO 2026?

A8. The competition brought together 120 students and scientific specialists from 19 countries, hosted at King Abdulaziz University under the theme Glowing Minds for a Promising Future.

Q9. What is the International Nuclear Science Olympiad?

A9. It is an international scientific competition approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2024 to develop students’ knowledge and skills in nuclear science and its peaceful applications.

Q10. Who congratulated the Saudi leadership on this achievement?

A10. Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Kredes, Secretary-General of Mawhiba, extended congratulations to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Q11. What did Al-Kredes say about the significance of the achievement?

A11. He said it extends the leadership’s support for citizens, reflects investment in human capabilities, and strengthens contributions to building an economy based on knowledge and innovation.

Q12. How were Saudi students prepared for the competition?

A12. Mawhiba, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, carried out intensive training programs in nuclear sciences, analytical reasoning, advanced problem-solving, and international competition readiness.

Q13. Which universities and entities supported the event?

A13. King Abdulaziz University provided hosting support, while the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy partnered in organizing the Olympiad alongside the Ministry of Education and Mawhiba.

Q14. What does hosting the Olympiad say about Saudi Arabia’s capabilities?

A14. It reflects the Kingdom’s organizational capacity to host major international scientific forums according to the highest standards, and the development of its talent and creativity ecosystem.

Q15. Why is winning in nuclear science particularly significant?

A15. It confirms Saudi students can compete in precise, advanced scientific fields and helps build a national base of qualified human competencies for the future of science and technology.

Q16. What is the theme of the INSO 2026?

A16. The theme is “Glowing Minds for a Promising Future,” reflecting the event’s focus on nurturing young scientific talent and advancing peaceful nuclear science applications.

Q17. What are the goals of the International Nuclear Science Olympiad?

A17. It aims to develop students’ nuclear science knowledge, encourage specialization in related fields, and promote scientific and cultural exchange among students from different countries.

Q18. When was the International Nuclear Science Olympiad approved?

A18. The competition was approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2024, and Saudi Arabia hosted its third edition in 2026.

Q19. How does this achievement connect to Saudi Vision 2030?

A19. It supports Vision 2030 goals of human capability development, knowledge-based economic growth, and global scientific competitiveness, positioning the Kingdom as an innovation hub.

Q20. What message does this achievement send internationally?

A20. It demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global scientific competition, its commitment to peaceful nuclear applications, and its ability to nurture world-class talent for the future.

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