Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is the destination for the Saudi Informatics Team participating in the 38th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI 2026) from August 9 to 16. The event involves students representing approximately 100 countries.
According to SPA, the Saudi team consists of four high school students: Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Aiban and Saad Bandar Al-Arifi from the Riyadh Education Department, Mohammed Nasser Al-Asmari from the Royal Commission for Jubail Education, and Al-Tayeb Ahmed Al-Akhdari from the Jeddah Education Department.
The students were trained and qualified by the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in partnership with the Ministry of Education through the Mawhiba International Olympiads Program. Their preparation included intensive training camps, nomination competitions, and simulation contests focused on problem-solving and strategy building.
This marks the eighth participation for the Kingdom in the IOI. In seven previous appearances, Saudi students earned 11 international awards, consisting of seven bronze medals and four certificates of appreciation.
The IOI began in 1989 in Bulgaria as a computer science competition for high school students. Participants compete individually in tasks requiring skills in problem analysis, algorithm design, data structures, programming, and solution verification.
Who represents the Kingdom in the IOI 2026? The Saudi team consists of four high school students: Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Aiban and Saad Bandar Al-Arifi from Riyadh, Mohammed Nasser Al-Asmari from the Royal Commission for Jubail, and Al-Tayeb Ahmed Al-Akhdari from Jeddah. They were qualified through the Mawhiba International Olympiads Program, which is a partnership between the Ministry of Education and the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity.
What is the history of Saudi participation in the International Olympiad in Informatics? The Kingdom is making its eighth appearance in the competition this year. Across seven previous participations, Saudi students have achieved 11 international awards. These awards include seven bronze medals and four certificates of appreciation.
What does the IOI competition involve for participants? The IOI is a computer science competition for high school students that started in 1989 in Bulgaria. Participants compete individually to solve problems that require advanced skills in programming, data structures, algorithm design, and problem analysis, as well as the ability to test and verify their solutions.