864 students qualified for the Nesmo Olympics finals in Saudi Arabia
The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, announced that 864 male and female students have qualified for the final stage of the first edition of the Nasmo National Science and Mathematics Olympiad. This well-deserved qualification came after the students successfully passed the third stage of the competition, which took place from April 25 to 30, 2026, during which 9,945 male and female students underwent rigorous tests to measure their scientific and analytical abilities.
Details of the competitions and scientific disciplines in the Nesmo Olympiad
The finalists for the Nesmo Olympiad are distributed across six specific scientific disciplines, reflecting the competition's diverse range of knowledge. The list includes 216 students in mathematics, 216 in informatics, and 108 each in biology, physics, science, and chemistry. This diversity ensures comprehensive coverage of the fundamental sciences that underpin modern technological advancements.
Geographical distribution of qualified candidates across the regions of the Kingdom
At the district level, the results showed strong competition among the various regions of the Kingdom. Ninety-six students qualified from Riyadh, and the same number from Jeddah and the Eastern Province. Sixty-four qualified from Madinah, and 48 each from Asir, Al-Ahsa, Makkah, Qassim, Taif, and Jazan. The regions of Najran, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, Al-Baha, and the Northern Borders each had 32 qualifying students, in addition to 16 each from the Royal Commission in Jubail and Yanbu. The finals are scheduled to be held in Riyadh, the capital, from May 16 to 19, overseen by 90 teachers, to select the winners who will represent the Kingdom internationally.
The historical roots of nurturing talent in Saudi Arabia
This achievement did not come about by chance, but rather is an extension of long-standing national efforts that began with the establishment of the Mawhiba Foundation in 1999, which undertook the task of discovering and nurturing talented individuals. With the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, and specifically the Human Capital Development Program, the focus on investing in young minds has intensified. This strategic vision has created a fertile environment for launching impactful initiatives aimed at building a generation capable of innovation and leadership, enabling the Kingdom to make a remarkable showing in scientific competitions over the past decade.
The strategic impact of talent discovery locally and internationally
This scientific event holds immense importance that transcends local competition. Nationally, it contributes to building a knowledge-based economy by developing a cadre of highly qualified Saudi professionals in the exact sciences. Regionally and internationally, it reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading exporter of talent and expertise. The winners of these finals will form the core of the Saudi teams that will participate in more than 30 international and regional Olympiads, where the Kingdom competes annually with over 120 countries, thus raising the global ranking of Saudi education.
A Journey of Excellence: From Schools to Global Platforms
This Olympiad is the largest annual national competition targeting students from the first year of middle school through the first year of high school. The inaugural edition began with a massive participation of 99,179 students from 8,356 schools across 47 cities and governorates, supervised by approximately 800 teachers. This widespread participation reflects the growing scientific enthusiasm among the rising generation and embodies the successful collaboration between Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education in localizing enrichment training, developing teacher performance, and enriching curricula with topics that cultivate higher-order thinking skills, thus ensuring the nation's youth are prepared to compete on the global stage.
