The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity “Mawhiba” announced the results of the National Science and Mathematics Olympiad “Nasmo” finals, which it organizes in partnership with the Ministry of Education. The final stage was held in person in Riyadh from May 16 to 19, 2026, as part of a national track aimed at preparing and qualifying gifted students to represent the Kingdom in international scientific forums.

“Mawhiba” stated that 864 male and female students from various regions of the Kingdom participated in the olympiad finals. Among them, 223 students qualified for the Mawhiba International Olympiad program, including 44 for the mathematics team, 34 for the informatics team, 42 for the physics team, 36 for the science team, 35 for the biology team, and 32 for the chemistry team.

A total of 49 students won olympiad medals, distributed as 8 gold medals, 17 silver medals, and 24 bronze medals, following a competitive journey that began in schools, then at the city and governorate levels, culminating in the national team competition for education departments and the olympiad finals in Riyadh.

Students from the General Administration of Education in the Riyadh region and the General Administration of Education in the Eastern region won the largest share of medals, with 11 medals each. This was followed by the General Administration of Education in Al-Ahsa Governorate with 9 medals, then the General Administration of Education in Jeddah Governorate with 7 medals, and the General Education Administration at the Royal Commission in Yanbu with 6 medals. The General Administration of Education in the Makkah region achieved 2 medals, while the General Administration of Education in the Northern Borders region, the General Administration of Education in the Jazan region, and the General Education Administration at the Royal Commission in Jubail each received one medal.

Gold medals were achieved in physics by student Hussein Mohammed Al-Khamis from Al-Ahsa Education, in biology by student Saja Hamed Al-Ghamwi from Jeddah Education, in chemistry by student Layan Fahd Abu Al-Naja from Eastern Province Education, in science by student Saad Fayez Al-Shehri from Jeddah Education, in mathematics 2 by student Ammar Mohammed Al-Dawood from Riyadh Education, in mathematics 1 by student Ali Mohammed Al-Saleh from Al-Ahsa Education, in informatics 2 by student Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Mulhim from Al-Ahsa Education, and in informatics 1 by student Rakan Khaled Al-Sharif from Riyadh Education.

The implementation of the final stage of the olympiad, which saw competition among 864 male and female students from various regions of the Kingdom, involved 18 coordinators from education departments and royal commissions, 25 members of scientific teams tasked with preparing scientific materials and tests, in addition to 28 supervisors and 90 team leaders from various education departments. “Mawhiba” stated that students’ preparations for the final stage were conducted through a set of knowledge tools provided by the Nasmo Olympiad library, which includes 16 training packages distributed across 8 scientific tracks in both Arabic and English, in addition to more than 200 training videos that provide simplified scientific content supporting understanding and practical application.

The “Nasmo” Olympiad is the first and largest annual national competition specialized in the fields of science and mathematics, targeting students from the first intermediate grade to the first secondary grade. It goes through gradual stages starting from school, then at the city and governorate levels, leading to the national team competition for education departments and the olympiad finals in Riyadh, with the aim of discovering, empowering, and preparing gifted students for international competition. The first stage of the olympiad recorded the participation of 99,179 male and female students, representing 8,356 schools in 47 cities and governorates distributed across 16 educational regions, under the supervision of about 800 male and female teachers, in a scene reflecting the breadth of the participation base and the presence of scientific ambition among students.

Riyadh

Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, located in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. Originally a small, walled oasis town, it rose to prominence in the 18th century as the stronghold of the Al Saud dynasty and later became the unified kingdom’s capital in 1932. Today, it is a modern metropolis blending its historical heritage, including landmarks like the Masmak Fortress, with rapid urban development and a growing global influence.

Al-Ahsa Governorate

Al-Ahsa Governorate, located in eastern Saudi Arabia, is a historic oasis region known for its vast date palm groves and natural springs, with human settlement dating back thousands of years. It was a key stop on ancient trade routes and later became part of the Ottoman Empire before being incorporated into Saudi Arabia in the early 20th century. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Al-Ahsa remains a cultural and agricultural hub, blending its rich history with modern development.

Jeddah Governorate

Jeddah Governorate, located on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, is the country’s second-largest city and a major commercial hub. Historically, it has served as a key port for pilgrims traveling to Mecca since the 7th century, and its historic district, Al-Balad, features centuries-old coral stone buildings and souks. Today, it blends its rich cultural heritage with modern development, including the King Fahd Fountain and Corniche.

Yanbu

Yanbu is a major port city on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, historically significant as a key trading and pilgrimage route for centuries. In modern times, it has developed into a major industrial hub, particularly known for its oil refineries and petrochemical plants established in the 1970s. The city also features a historic old town, Yanbu Al-Bahr, with traditional coral-stone buildings and a long maritime heritage.

Makkah region

The Makkah region, located in western Saudi Arabia, is the holiest area in Islam, home to the city of Mecca where the Prophet Muhammad was born in 570 CE. It contains the Great Mosque of Mecca (Al-Masjid al-Haram), which houses the Kaaba, the focal point of Muslim prayer and the destination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Historically, the region has been a major religious and trade center for centuries, and its significance grew further after the rise of Islam in the 7th century.

Northern Borders region

The Northern Borders region of Saudi Arabia is a largely arid and historically significant area, known for its strategic location along the country’s frontier with Iraq and Jordan. Its history is deeply tied to ancient trade routes and Bedouin culture, and it features archaeological sites like the Al-Rajajil standing stones, which date back over 6,000 years. Today, the region is known for its vast desert landscapes, such as the Nafud desert, and its growing role in cross-border economic activity.

Jazan region

The Jazan region, located in southwestern Saudi Arabia along the Red Sea coast, is known for its lush agricultural landscapes, unique architecture, and cultural diversity. Historically, it served as a key trade route and has been influenced by various civilizations, including the ancient kingdoms of Yemen and the Ottoman Empire. Today, it features attractions like the Farasan Islands and the Al-Dayer Bani Malik mountains, blending natural beauty with a rich heritage.

Jubail

Jubail is a major industrial city in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, located on the Persian Gulf coast. While it was once a small fishing village, its history transformed dramatically in the 1970s when it was developed into a massive petrochemical and industrial hub. Today, it is home to the world’s largest industrial city, Al Jubail Industrial City, and remains a key center for energy and manufacturing.