RIYADH: King Abdul Aziz and His Companions Foundation for the Gifted has launched 23 different events as part of its Mawhiba (Talent) program to help children polish their skills and enhance their knowledge during the summer break.

More than 1,000 boys and girls will take part in the program in which they will invest time and effort to develop their creativity and enrich their knowledge, said Khaled Al-Sabty, general secretary of the foundation. “We are trying to help young students of both genders to discover their talents and use them with expert guidance to develop themselves,” Al-Sabty said. “There is a revolution in the country when it comes to knowledge. We are trying to help our children to benefit from it.”

Umar Al-Muammar, a consultant for Mawhiba, said the foundation wants to cooperate with different research centers and scientific institutions that show interest in sponsoring the program in order to encourage these special talents from different parts of the Kingdom.

Mawhiba targets talented kids to get them exposed to a world full of knowledge. It gives them a chance to learn how to dig for information rather than just receive it readymade.

“We organize summer programs to help talented students expand their knowledge during the summer break,” Al-Muammar said. “We are always moved by the curiosity of an ambitious youngster.”

The practical experiences given to smart kids by Mawhiba are real opportunities for them to develop their scientific knowledge and skills with expert help, he said.

The 23 programs related to science and technology, electronics and engineering will be provided with the support of leading companies and institutions within the Kingdom and abroad. They include Saudi Aramco, King Saud University, Imam Muhammad ibn Saud University, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, King Faisal University, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.

The foundation also enlisted the support of major international institutions, such as Johns Hopkins, Oxford, Cambridge and Texas universities.