72 students to vie for global prize

A total of 72 gifted students will represent Saudi Arabia at an international contest for science research and innovation after winning the 2013 National Olympiad for Science and Innovation (NOSI) held here this week.
The names of the winners were announced here on Wednesday night at the conclusion of the four-day final qualifying rounds involving 400 projects of 518 students from across Saudi Arabia.
They received their medals and awards from Riyadh Gov. Prince Khaled bin Bandar in the presence of the Minister of Education Prince Faisal bin Abdullah and Prince Turki bin Abdullah, deputy Riyadh governor. According to Ahmed Ali Alblushi, NOSI director general, the winners will be participating in four international events including one in the United States in May this year.
“Saudi Arabia is committed to establishing a knowledge-based, innovative, integrated and globally competitive society," said Prince Faisal in his speech. He said the Kingdom sees education as a way to bring about a "renaissance" in society.
He underlined the support given by the government in the Ninth Development Plan for developing Saudi human capital. He said this was represented by various initiatives, notably the King Abdullah Project for the Development of General Education, the National Plan for Talent and Innovation, and the National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation.
“With this huge support from the leadership of this country we are striving in the Ministry of Education to create an educational environment in accordance with the latest principles and theories and to provide a catalyst for creativity and innovation to get better educational outcomes.”
The annual event was organized by King Abdul Aziz and his Companions Foundation for the Gifted and Creativity (KACFGC), or “Mawhiba” in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. Participants competed in 17 different fields of scientific research, innovation and creativity.
In his speech, the Riyadh governor said: "Our leadership is moving forward to bring the country into the ranks of the advanced world's knowledge-based community." He said this was reflected in the government's huge allocation for education in the national budget.