Saudi Arabia Gears Up for Final Phase of National Science Olympiad

The 15th annual National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, also known as Ibdaa, is set to conclude with its final phase from February 3-6 at the Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University conference center in Riyadh.

Organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), the prestigious competition will showcase 200 research and innovation projects spanning 22 scientific fields. These projects were selected from over 23,000 entries submitted by students across the Kingdom, highlighting the growing interest in scientific research and innovation among Saudi youth.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the final stage of the Olympiad will determine 68 winners who will go on to represent Saudi Arabia at international and regional competitions, including the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the United States.

Ibdaa serves as a key platform for middle and high school students to demonstrate their talents in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The competition, which initially started as a local event in South Korea in 2006, expanded to an international contest in 2014, attracting participants from across the globe.

Saudi Arabia has consistently emphasized fostering a culture of innovation and scientific excellence among its youth, and initiatives like Ibdaa align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of advancing education and scientific research. Through events like these, young Saudi innovators gain opportunities to showcase their talents on a global stage, contributing to the country’s ambitions of becoming a leader in science and technology.

As the final phase of the competition unfolds, students, educators, and officials alike are eagerly anticipating the selection of the winners who will carry Saudi Arabia’s scientific aspirations to international platforms.