Riyadh, February 5, 2025 — Under the patronage of Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, the 15th edition of the Ibdaa Science and Engineering Fair kicked off yesterday at Imam Mohammed ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh. The event, which will run until February 6, is organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
The Ibdaa 2025 fair marks the fifth phase of the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, a prestigious competition designed to foster innovation among Saudi students. This year’s event features 200 research and innovative projects, which were selected from an impressive pool of over 23,000 entries submitted by more than 291,000 students from across the Kingdom. These selected projects span 22 scientific fields, ranging from health and wellness to energy, and aim to showcase the depth of creativity and talent present within Saudi Arabia’s student population.
The judging panel for the event consists of five experts, assisted by an AI-driven system to ensure greater precision and fairness in evaluating the projects. The competition will culminate in the selection of 68 winning projects, which will be categorized into four key areas: health and wellness, environmental sustainability and essential needs, energy and industrial leadership, and the economies of the future.
The winning students will have the unique opportunity to represent Saudi Arabia at prominent international and regional exhibitions, including the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the United States, ITEX in Malaysia, and TISF in Taiwan. These events provide a global stage for the students to further develop their skills, exchange ideas with other young innovators, and gain recognition for their contributions to science and technology.
Ibdaa 2025 is not only a celebration of young scientific talent, but also an embodiment of Saudi Arabia's commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in research and innovation. Through this annual Olympiad, Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education aim to cultivate a spirit of creativity and critical thinking, offering students the platform to hone their skills, pursue their passions, and contribute to the advancement of science and technology in the Kingdom. The event highlights the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to position itself at the forefront of global innovation while promoting scientific excellence among its youth.
