In a historic achievement that underscores the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading center for supporting talent and innovation, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) has broken a world record, earning a place in the Guinness World Records. This recognition comes as a culmination of the resounding success of the 16th National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, “Ibdaa 2026,” which has been officially recognized as the world’s largest competition for innovative solutions.
Background to the achievement: A career filled with supporting talented individuals
Mawhiba was established as a national non-profit organization with the aim of discovering and nurturing talented and creative individuals in the Kingdom, and providing them with a stimulating environment to develop their abilities. The National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, "Ibdaa," organized in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, is one of the organization's most prominent and impactful programs. Over the years, the Olympiad has evolved into a leading national platform that allows thousands of students from across the Kingdom to showcase their innovative scientific projects and compete in a comprehensive scientific environment, thus contributing to spreading a culture of scientific research and innovation among the rising generations.
Record numbers reflect an ambitious vision
This achievement didn't come about by chance; it's the result of exceptional figures. The competition saw the submission of more than 34,000 innovative scientific projects. More importantly, the number of students registered for the Olympiad exceeded 357,000, the highest number in the competition's history since its inception, achieving a remarkable growth rate of 22.7% compared to last year. These figures not only reflect the scale of participation but also indicate a growing societal awareness of the importance of science and innovation. The official Guinness World Records certificate was presented during the Olympiad's closing ceremony in Riyadh, in the presence of the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mawhiba, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Anqari, and its Secretary-General, Abdulaziz Al-Kridis, underscoring the significant institutional support for this national event.
Local and international impact: Enhancing the Kingdom's global standing
This global achievement resonates strongly within the Kingdom, aligning directly with the goals of Vision 2030, which prioritizes investment in human capital and building a competitive knowledge-based economy. By empowering a creative national generation, Mawhiba contributes to preparing future leaders capable of addressing challenges and driving sustainable development. Internationally, this record-breaking achievement enhances the Kingdom's presence on the global innovation map, highlighting its commitment to science, research, and development. Furthermore, qualifying the winners of the Ibdaa competition to participate in major international competitions, such as the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), opens global horizons for them, refines their expertise, and reflects the high quality of educational and training outcomes in the Kingdom.
