The Central Exhibition for Creativity 2026 kicks off in Riyadh with the participation of 131 students
The central exhibition for the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, "Ibdaa 2026," kicked off in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Saturday. Organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, this event marks the fourth and final phase of a series of central exhibitions touring various regions of the Kingdom, aimed at discovering and nurturing young Saudi talent.
The Riyadh exhibition is witnessing broad and distinguished participation, with 131 top-performing students from public schools showcasing their scientific and engineering projects at SABIC's Plastic Applications Development Center. These projects cover 22 specific scientific fields within four main tracks that reflect national research and development priorities, and are subject to rigorous evaluation by judging panels comprised of leading academics and specialized experts to ensure the quality of the scientific output.
The journey of the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity
The National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, “Ibdaa,” is the most important scientific competition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for public school students. It consists of several stages, beginning with registration and training, progressing to central exhibitions, and culminating in the final rounds. These central exhibitions aim to identify outstanding projects and select the best to advance to the “Ibdaa Science and Engineering Fair,” which serves as the primary gateway for representing the Kingdom in international forums, most notably the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
International context and Saudi achievements
This event is of paramount importance given Saudi Arabia's growing presence on the global scientific stage. In recent years, the Kingdom has made significant strides in its international participation, winning dozens of major and special awards at the ISEF competition in the United States, surpassing many developed nations. These national exhibitions serve as the true "factory" where these talents are honed and prepared for global competition. From this current stage, approximately 200 students are expected to qualify out of a total of 500 participants across all national exhibitions in the Kingdom.
Vision 2030 and building a knowledge economy
These efforts are inseparable from the broader context of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes investment in human capital and innovation. Through these events, Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education aim to foster a culture of scientific research and innovation among young people, building a generation of scientists and researchers capable of transforming ideas into tangible projects that serve the national economy and contribute to the Kingdom’s transition to a knowledge-based economy. Enabling these students to present their ideas to expert judges is a crucial step in building scientific confidence and developing their presentation, public speaking, and critical thinking skills.
