Mawhiba: 99,000 students registered for the Nasmo Science and Mathematics Olympiad
In a move reflecting growing public awareness of the importance of science and innovation, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) announced a new record in the first edition of the National Science and Mathematics Olympiad, "Nasmu," with 99,179 students from across Saudi Arabia registering. This achievement is the result of a fruitful strategic partnership between Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education, aimed at discovering and nurturing young Saudi talent.
Strategic dimensions and future vision
This high level of participation is not merely a statistic; it represents a vital indicator of the success of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives, particularly the Human Capital Development Program. Through these national competitions, the Kingdom seeks to build a solid foundation of young scientists and innovators capable of leading the knowledge economy of the future. The "Nasmo" Olympiad is considered the first and essential step in preparing Saudi students to compete on the international stage. The Kingdom boasts a distinguished record of awards in ISEF competitions and other specialized international Olympiads, making investment in this age group (from the first year of middle school to the first year of high school) a crucial step in sustaining Saudi Arabia's global excellence.
Comprehensive geographical and academic distribution
Data released by Mawhiba revealed that registered students represent 8,356 schools across 47 cities and governorates within 16 educational regions, ensuring equal opportunities for discovering talented individuals throughout the Kingdom. The Riyadh region topped the list of registered students with 13,117, followed by Makkah with 9,565, and then the Eastern Province with 7,925. In terms of academic specialization, mathematics saw the highest enrollment with 29,052 students, followed by informatics with 23,238, reflecting a strong trend towards future skills and digital transformation. Thousands more registered in biology, chemistry, and physics.
Stages of competition and the road to global recognition
The first stage of the competition is scheduled to begin next Sunday, with students undergoing tests at the city and provincial levels. The "Nasmo" Olympiad is distinguished by its rigorous system, which progresses through three progressive stages of qualifying rounds and intensive training, culminating in the finals to be held in Riyadh. These stages aim to identify and select the elite to represent Saudi Arabia in international Olympiads. The Olympiad also contributes to developing training expertise within education departments, enhancing teachers' skills in working with gifted students, and enriching school curricula with higher-order thinking skills and complex problem-solving abilities.
