A commendable scientific achievement for Jeddah students
In a national achievement that adds to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's record of successes, students from the General Directorate of Education in Jeddah Governorate achieved remarkable excellence, winning 23 diverse awards, including major and special prizes at both the local and international levels, at the conclusion of the 16th National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, "Ibdaa 2026." This significant victory underscores the outstanding creative and scientific abilities of the nation's youth and their capacity to compete strongly in the most prestigious scientific arenas.
Background on the “Creativity” Olympiad and its role in nurturing talented individuals
The National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, “Ibdaa,” is a leading scientific platform in the Kingdom, organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity “Mawhiba” in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education. The Olympiad aims to discover and nurture young talent in scientific and technological fields, and to provide a stimulating competitive environment that encourages students to develop their scientific research and innovation skills. Since its inception, “Ibdaa” has contributed to preparing generations of innovators who represent the Kingdom in international competitions, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to build a knowledge-based economy and invest in human capital.
A warm welcome for the nation's heroes and the impact of the achievement
In recognition of this remarkable achievement, an official reception was held for the winning students at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah upon their return. The ceremony was attended by the Assistant Director General of Education in Jeddah, several educational leaders, and parents, who welcomed the champions with bouquets of flowers and expressions of pride and congratulations. This achievement not only has a local impact but also enhances the Kingdom's international reputation as a leading nation in supporting science and innovation. Furthermore, it paves the way for these students to participate in prestigious international competitions, most notably the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2026, where they will proudly represent their country.
Leadership support and a future vision
For her part, the Director General of Education in Jeddah Governorate, Ms. Manal bint Mubarak Al-Lahibi, expressed her pride in this achievement, congratulating the winning students, their families, and their teachers. She emphasized that this excellence is a result of the unlimited support provided by the wise leadership to the education sector, and a fruit of the integrated efforts between the school, the family, and supporting educational bodies. She also commended the role of the Capacity Development Department and the Gifted Students Section in refining and developing students' talents, expressing her hope for the continuation of this path of success and the achievement of further accomplishments that will raise the Kingdom's name in all international forums.
