Saudi Gazette report

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Saudi national team secured 23 awards, including 14 grand prizes and nine special awards, at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2025), held from May 10–16 in Columbus, Ohio.

The competition drew over 1,700 participants from 70 countries.

Three Saudi students placed second, five placed third, and six received fourth-place honors across various scientific categories.

The awards reflect the Kingdom’s rising global presence in science and innovation.

This year’s delegation included 40 students presenting cutting-edge projects in fields such as energy, environmental engineering, medical sciences, plant sciences, and materials science.

Saudi Arabia’s total medal count at ISEF since its first participation in 2007 has now reached 183 awards, including 124 grand prizes and 59 special awards.

Dr. Khaled Al-Sharif, acting secretary-general of the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), said the achievement is a result of strategic cooperation between Mawhiba, the Ministry of Education, and other national partners.

He emphasized the importance of such partnerships in nurturing young talent and projecting the Kingdom’s scientific excellence globally.

Second-place winners included Maryam Al-Muhaysh in energy, and Areej Al-Qarni and Jiwan Shaabi in environmental engineering.

Third-place winners were Jumana Bilal (energy), Salman Al-Shahri and Lana Nouri (translational medical science), Lamia Al-Nefaie (environmental engineering), and Fatima Al-Mutabagani (plant sciences).

Among the fourth-place awardees were Haneen Al-Hassan and Omran Al-Turkistani (energy), Fatima Al-Arfaj and Misk Al-Mutairi (chemistry), Abeer Al-Yousef (materials science), and Ghala Al-Ghamdi (plant sciences).

Special award recipients included Fatima Al-Arfaj, Areej Al-Qarni, Saleh Al-Angari, Abdulrahman Al-Ghannam, Sama Bukhamseen, and others, with multiple students receiving more than one distinction.

ISEF is recognized as the world’s largest pre-college science competition, judged by leading scientists and industry experts. Saudi Arabia participates annually through Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education as part of its national strategy to promote talent, research, and innovation.