Over 33,000 pupils enter Saudi talent contest

A total of 33,000 young Saudi students have entered the annual government-sponsored science and mathematics contest.
Adel Abdulrahman Al-Qaeed, deputy secretary-general of King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), said Wednesday the closing date is Jan. 11.
He said it was important to develop the skills of students, particularly in science and mathematics, because they would become the leaders of the country in future. This is being done in cooperation with the Ministry of Education “to create an atmosphere for talented students.”
He said Mawhiba has been working for the past six years with the Education Ministry and the National Center for Assessment for Higher Education on such projects.
“This program is a major state project in the sense that it supports the very vision of the country and plans to transform it into a knowledge-based economy,” Al-Qaeed said.
He said it targets boys and girls at elementary and secondary schools in the country. It also allows non-Saudis to participate in various programs. Gifted students benefit from scholarships and nomination for the International Mathematics and Science Olympiad.
According to its website, Mawhiba “aims to build, develop and support an environment of creativity and giftedness with the view to achieving prosperity and sustainable development in the Kingdom.”
It sponsors gifted and creative individuals, creates awards, develops programs for the formation, development and training of specialized cadres, provides consultation services to government and nongovernment bodies, and works with institutions and centers in the Kingdom and abroad.