Madinah gears up to host the seventh Arab Chemistry Olympiad on Sunday. Minister of Education Prince Khaled Al-Faisal arrived in Madinah on Saturday for the inauguration of the four-day event starting from Sept. 7.

A total of 136 male and female students from 17 different Arab countries will participate in the science race held under the patronage of minister of education with the aim to encourage Arab students to engage in academic competitions in the field of chemistry. 34 chemistry teachers will supervise the competitions that will kick off on Monday with the first phase of theoretical tests.

The Chemistry Olympiad is hoped to promote excellence in chemistry, and boost the students' information in this field as well as discovering the distinguished talents among participating students.

The event, hosted by the General Department of Education in Madinah, is organised by the Ministry of Education in cooperation with the Saudi Chemical Society and the Federation of Arab Chemists.

Director General of Education in Madinah, Nasser Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim expressed gratitude to Prince Khaled Al-Faisal for his patronage of the event, “The Prince continues his support for such gatherings, which contribute to the development of the educational march in the Kingdom and help support the creativity development process in the Arab world that abounds with emerging youth capabilities and talents,” Al-Abdulkarim said.

He highlighted the unlimited support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to the progress of education in the Kingdom to be at par with the finest and newest education systems around the world. He explained that such activities and particularly pan-Arab competitions, will contribute to establishing the basic pillars of scientific development.

Al-Abdulkarim that such gatherings pose a real opportunity for students to take advantage of the unique and large Arab scientific assembly, and discuss the ideas, principles, and mechanisms held by the chemists of the Arab world. Al-Abdulkarim said the competition is divided into two basic phases. The first one deals with the theoretical knowledge in different branches of chemistry while the second tests the students' skills in performing chemical experiments.

Al-Abdulkarim said the Education Department has finalised all preparations to host this grand program through hosting numerous meetings with the general administration of student activities in the Education Ministry and the Saudi Chemical Society.