National Science and Mathematics Olympiad Finals with the participation of 864 students
The final stage of the first edition of the National Science and Mathematics Olympiad , "Nasmo," organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity "Mawhiba" in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, concluded in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. This stage witnessed fierce competition among a select group of male and female students, with the final results for the winners to be announced on June 2nd.
The final stage of the National Science and Mathematics Olympiad has begun
The finals, held from May 16 to 19 and representing the fourth stage of the Olympiad, included rigorous tests to assess students' abilities. These consisted of two theoretical exams in mathematics and informatics, and two practical exams (one theoretical and one practical) in the sciences: biology, physics, and chemistry. The tests were administered over two consecutive days, with each exam lasting three hours, to ensure an accurate measurement of analytical and scientific skills.
Mawhiba explained that the finals saw 864 male and female students competing, representing national teams from educational departments across six disciplines. The participants were distributed as follows: 216 in mathematics, 216 in informatics, and 108 each in biology, physics, science, and chemistry. The winners from among these students will be nominated to represent the Kingdom in international science Olympiads.
A Journey of Excellence: From Schools to National Competitions
The “Nesmo” Olympiad is the first and largest annual national competition specializing in science and mathematics, targeting students from the first year of middle school to the first year of high school. The competition progresses through stages, starting at the school level, then escalating to include city and governorate levels, culminating in the national team competition for education departments and the Olympiad finals in Riyadh.
The first stage of the Olympiad saw a massive participation of 99,179 students representing 8,356 schools across 47 cities and governorates, spread across 16 educational districts. The students who qualified for the finals were selected from among 9,945 students who took the third-stage tests. A select group of coordinators, scientific team members, supervisors, and team leaders—all coaches nominated by the education departments—contributed to supporting the competing teams.
The strategic impact of talent identification in the Kingdom's Vision 2030
The importance of these scientific competitions lies in the context of the national transformation underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards building a knowledge-based economy, a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030. Historically, since its inception, the Mawhiba Foundation has been dedicated to nurturing gifted individuals and providing an environment conducive to their creativity, thus contributing to the development of a generation of young people capable of innovation and solving complex problems. Investing in young minds through major national competitions not only improves academic achievement but also lays the foundation for a solid base of national talent that will lead the research, development, and technology sectors in the future.
Representing the Kingdom in international scientific forums
At both the regional and international levels, this event carries significant weight. The Olympiad aims to broaden the discovery of talented students in public education and to integrate Olympiad-related training into educational departments. It also seeks to enrich curricula with topics that develop higher-order thinking skills, thereby enhancing students' readiness to compete globally and represent their countries effectively.
The Kingdom, represented by the Mawhiba Foundation and the Ministry of Education, participates annually in approximately 30 international and regional Olympiads held in various countries, with the participation of more than 120 nations. This participation falls under the Mawhiba International Olympiads Program, which provides a comprehensive training pathway focused on developing students' capabilities and preparing them scientifically and methodologically. Over the years, these efforts have yielded hundreds of international medals and awards, solidifying the Kingdom's position as a rising scientific power on the global stage and demonstrating the competence of Saudi minds in addressing global scientific challenges.
