Expat gifted students to take part in Mawhiba program

Non-Saudi gifted students who have a talent for innovation can now participate in the state-funded Mawhiba program. They can be eligible for all expenses, including hotel accommodation, air travel and food.
“A number of non-Saudi students have participated in the program. Some of them even took part in international competition,” said Ahmed Ali Alblushi, director general of the Saudi National Olympiad for Science Innovation (NOSI).
He said Mawhiba provides full sponsorship for talented non-Saudi participants, although the quota for this category is limited.
“The future is very promising for distinguished students who are loyal to their country and adheres to the values of Saudi Arabia, the Arab and the Islamic world. The results of their achievements will impact the whole world,” Alblushi said.
Referring to Mawhiba’s recent achievements in NOSI held for the third successive year, he said, “The number of participants soared to 52,000 in scientific research and innovation compared with 11,000 students the first year.”
The applying of middle and secondary school students in the fundamentals of scientific research was one of their major achievements at the grass root level to imbibe research culture, he said.
Alblushi added that registration online is open for both male and female students of middle and secondary schools as well as students of special education or ones studying in international schools.
They can go through the designated site, after which the management will complete the first phase.
Students working on different projects are being mentored by a group of university professors and some employees at the Ministry of Education. Around 2,000 students have qualified for the second phase. The final phase will be held in Riyadh in the fields of engineering, physics, mathematics and chemistry as well as in the fields of humanities, including behavioral and social sciences.
“We do guide and evaluate the project, and identify aspects that need to be developed and the aspects that need to be avoided. Mawhiba, in coordination with the department of education, provides training sessions for teachers at the beginning of each season so that they can supervise the students,” said Alblushi.
Mawhiba also provides guidelines through its website or through the Ministry of Education that help students about how to identify their research project and all other steps related to scientific research.
Last year, the Kingdom unveiled six awards in the fields of medicine, physics, social and behavioral sciences, and chemistry. He noted that the Kingdom won in these areas for the first time pushing it ahead of some of the European countries. At the global level a Saudi student ranked fourth.
“We did win in every participation in scientific research as well as in the field of innovation. Last contest and exhibition was in Brussels where Saudi students won 10 awards including gold, silver medals, certificates of appreciation as well as knight medal given by the Society of European Inventors,” he added.
“There is great deal of enthusiasm among the students, especially in the areas of science and technology. However, they need guidance, encouragement and support,” Alblushi said.
Student participation has instilled in them self-confidence and made them diligent. “We maintain an open channel to communicate with students through our site, and of course there is an e-mail address. Also, we help students identify the ethics of scientific research that must be applied.”
He said they communicate with students directly, whether through colleagues at the Ministry of Education or via e-mail. “We offer them guidance and help them in their research. Some students need study material or access to research centers. We are helping facilitate the liaising of scientists from universities, hospitals or research centers to connect with all students in the Kingdom.”
The winners of innovative achievement are referred to the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). Their projects are deposited in the library of patents until they receive trademarking,” he said.
“Language is not a barrier. I recall one exhibition where French was the official language. With the coordination with Saudi Embassy in Brussels we provided translators. But in Saudi Arabia, we undoubtedly adopt Arabic,” he added.