A Saudi initiative with a global vision
In a historic step reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leadership in human capital development, the first global index for assessing gifted student care was launched today, Sunday, under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef Al-Bunyan. This significant announcement came during the opening of the 19th Asian Conference on Talent and Creativity 2026, hosted by the University of Business and Technology (UBT) in Jeddah. The conference saw wide international participation, including more than 1,000 creative and talented individuals, decision-makers, educational experts, and representatives from over 40 countries worldwide.
This index, which originates from the Kingdom, is a first-of-its-kind global measurement tool that aims to establish unified and clear standards for evaluating and improving giftedness programs in various countries around the world, thus opening new horizons for cooperation and exchange of experiences in this vital field.
Historical context and the goals of Vision 2030
The launch of this global index is the culmination of decades of Saudi efforts in discovering and nurturing talent, spearheaded by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), a leading model at both the regional and international levels. This initiative aligns directly with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes human capital development, based on the belief that investing in people is the cornerstone of building a sustainable knowledge economy and a vibrant, innovative society. The index aims to transform accumulated national expertise into a globally recognized benchmark, further solidifying the Kingdom's position as a global hub for knowledge and innovation.
The importance of the index and its expected impact
At the local level, the index will provide decision-makers in the Kingdom with accurate data to assess the effectiveness of national programs and develop them in line with global best practices. Regionally, it offers an inspiring model for countries in the region to adopt advanced policies and strategies for nurturing talent. Internationally, the index represents a qualitative leap in the field of gifted education, as it will create a common language among countries to evaluate their efforts, encourage scientific research, and stimulate innovation in teaching methods tailored to this group. The conference's general coordinator, Dr. Laila Jamjoom, emphasized that the conference, held under the theme "Towards Progress: Building a Better Future for Gifted Education 2050," aims to reshape the future of this field by leveraging innovation, artificial intelligence, and multi-sectoral partnerships.
A global platform for exchanging experiences
The conference, two years in the making, brings together over 100 speakers and experts, 200 researchers, and nearly 800 participants, making it a unique platform for knowledge exchange and building international collaborations. Dr. Kyung-bin Park, President of the Asian Council for Talent and Creativity, praised the Saudi Minister of Education's patronage of the conference, considering it a reflection of a firm national commitment to developing human potential. The opening ceremony also featured a documentary highlighting the Kingdom's achievements in empowering talented individuals and honoring Mawhiba students who have won international awards, a practical demonstration of the fruits of investing in human capital.
The ceremony concluded with the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the University of Business and Technology and the Mawhiba Foundation to enhance educational partnerships and support talent and innovation programs, which confirms the continuity and integration of efforts to achieve a brighter future for talented individuals in the Kingdom and around the world.
