In a move reflecting the growing investment in human capital and the development of young talent, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) and the Ministry of Education announced the selection of 68 male and female students to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at three of the most prestigious international scientific events. These innovators will participate in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2026) in the United States, the International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) in Malaysia, and the Taiwan International Science Fair (TAISF).
Investing in the future within the framework of Vision 2030
This achievement is the culmination of national efforts undertaken within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030 , which aims to build a knowledge-based economy and encourage innovation and scientific research. The Mawhiba Foundation plays a pivotal role in achieving these goals through its integrated programs that work to discover, nurture, and empower talented individuals throughout the Kingdom, equipping them with the skills necessary to compete on the global stage.
The importance of participating in international forums
These exhibitions are exceptional global platforms that allow students to present their innovative research projects to a distinguished group of scientists and academics, including Nobel laureates. The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), in particular, is the world's largest pre-university science competition, attracting over 1,600 students from approximately 70 countries annually. Participation in such events is not limited to winning awards; it also contributes to shaping students' personalities, broadening their horizons, enhancing their communication and scientific research skills, and raising the Kingdom's profile on the international stage.
A long and arduous selection journey
The selection of these students was no accident; it came after a rigorous year-long scientific journey of competition, training, and preparation. The process began with the participation of 357,000 male and female students from across the Kingdom, who submitted more than 34,000 scientific projects in 22 different fields. The candidates went through six competitive stages, including 16 local exhibitions and four central exhibitions, culminating in the "Ibdaa for Science and Engineering" exhibition, which served as the final stage for selecting the Saudi national team. The winners received intensive training at the Mishkat Interactive Center in Riyadh to ensure they were optimally prepared for international competitions.
A proven track record of achievements
The Kingdom, represented by “Mawhiba” and the Ministry of Education, has a distinguished record in the ISEF exhibition since its participation began in 2007. Saudi students have won a total of 185 international awards, including 124 major awards and 61 special awards, reflecting the effectiveness of the National Strategy for the Care of the Gifted and enhancing the Kingdom’s global competitiveness in the fields of science, engineering and innovation.
List of the Kingdom's representatives at ISEF 2026
The Saudi Science and Engineering Team participating in ISEF 2026 included 42 innovators, namely: Jumana Talal Bilal, Jana Ibrahim Al-Dosari, Abdullah Ahmed Al-Rashid, Fatima Mohammed Al-Saleem, Faisal Yousef Al-Hanti, Lana Abdullah Abu Talib, Mawada Tawfiq Awad, Nour Faisal Al-Atwi, Yara Abdulmajid Ababitan, Jad Daniel Al-Ghazawi, Reem Mohammed Al-Mutawa, Faisal Saad Al-Abdulatif, Lana Waseem Al-Aqqad, Mohammed Mustafa Al-Quraini, Mishari Bader Al-Dhiyabani, Al-Jawhara Faisal Bin Zara’a, Dalin Bader Qadir, Reda Hani Al-Obaidi, Zainab Mohammed Al-Aithan, Shaima Salah Al-Din Al-Katati, Abdulrahman Basem Jamal, Imran Omar Al-Turkistani, Fatima Hussein Al-Muqrin, Faisal Sami Al-Saeed, Lana Yahya Nouri, Lin Mahmoud Al-Nabulsi, Mohammed Nasser Al-Manea Al-Asmari, Maryam Nidal Habib, Munira Suleiman Al-Rumi, Yara Yousef Al-Qadi, Tala Hisham Awlia, Tamim Ibrahim Khan. Jumana Ahmed Al-Amoudi, Jana Ehab Harsani, Janine Muslimi Al-Qahtani, Joan Ryan Hindi, Sarah Mohammed Abu Al-Samh, Saleh Ahmed Al-Zaidani Al-Shamrani, Lamar Hani Al-Agha, Mazen Mohammed Murad, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Khalid bin Salman, Latin Hussein Al-Ghamdi.
Names of participants in the “ITEX” exhibition
Eighteen male and female creators have been nominated to participate in the “ITEX” International Exhibition in Malaysia. They are: Khaled Amjad Hajawi, Shahd Musfer Al-Ghamdi, Fares Ibrahim Bin Jardan, Anas Talal Aloush, Abdulaziz Badr Al-Jaid, Abdullah Hashem Al-Nasser, Fahd Abdullah Al-Muammar, Lara Khaled Al-Tamimi, Lamar Basem Bahakim, Nasser Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, Juliana Badie Bin Ali, Fares Ahmed Al-Jaafar, Lamar Hashem Al-Habashi, Yara Faleh Al-Hatrashi Al-Shahrani, Al-Faisal Majed Al-Gharibi, Jumana Bandar Al-Zaidi, Sarah Marwan Al-Omran, Yousef Farid Al-Khalawi.
List of creators participating in “Taisf”
Eight creative individuals were also nominated to participate in the Taiwan International Science Fair “TAISF”, namely: Abdulaziz Waleed Al-Muqrin, Nawaf Mahmoud Al-Ibrahim, Yousef Ibrahim Basyouni, Alia Ali Bashiri, Hassan Hamza Sultan, Dana Salem Al-Tuwaili Al-Anzi, Roula Abdulaziz Al-Arini, and Nour Basem Al-Ma’touq.
