Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Two hundred male and female Saudi students are competing in “Ibda’a 2026” for a chance to represent the Kingdom at international scientific competitions.

The 16th edition of the Creativity Exhibition for Science and Engineering is being held from January 25 to 29 at the Princess Nouf bint Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

Students are showcasing 200 scientific projects across 22 scientific fields, selected from more than 34,000 submissions to the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity.

A total of 68 winners will qualify to represent Saudi Arabia in international and regional competitions, including the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the United States, as well as scientific exhibitions in Malaysia and Taiwan.

“Ibda’a 2026” has recorded record participation of more than 357,000 students, reflecting the Kingdom’s expanding talent base.

In addition to the competition, the exhibition features workshops, scientific lectures, and awareness pavilions aimed at promoting research, innovation, and scientific culture among students.

The event is organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education.

The exhibition represents the fifth stage of the annual Ibda’a Olympiad, a competitive program based on individually developed scientific projects.