The Saudi Chemistry Team achieved outstanding success at the 55th edition of the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO 2023) held in Switzerland from July 16 to July 25, 2023, winning four prestigious international awards.
Additionally, during the event, the President of IChO handed over the competition’s flag to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, designating it as the host for the 56th IChO, to be held in Riyadh from July 22 to July 31, 2024.
Among the winners, Mohammed Al-Hadlaq, a third-year secondary school student from Riyadh Education Department, earned a silver medal after an extensive journey of preparation and qualification, totalling 3,209 hours, at King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity “Mawhiba.” Similarly, Ali Al-Saleh, also a third-year secondary school student from Riyadh Education Department, achieved a silver medal following the same rigorous 3,209 hours of training.
Furthermore, Ali Al Mousa, a second-year secondary school student from the Eastern Province Education Department, secured a silver medal with a total of 2,314 hours of training. Similarly, Hassan Al-Khalifa, a second-year secondary school student from the same educational department, was awarded the silver medal after completing the same 2,314 hours of training.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a remarkable record in the IChO, with a total of 14 silver medals, 25 bronze medals, and two certificates of appreciation, showcasing its excellence in the global competition.
The Secretary-General of Mawhiba, Dr. Amal Al Hazzaa, attributed this exceptional success to the unwavering support of the Saudi leadership in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The vision aims to instil confidence in the abilities of young talents, enabling them to compete on the global stage and fostering a generation of innovators capable of engaging with scientific knowledge and envisioning the future.
Dr. Amal expressed her gratitude to the Minister of Education, Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, for his steadfast support of the Foundation’s programs, which aim to discover, nurture, and empower gifted Saudi students within the public education system.
She emphasized that this triumph was the result of a productive and constructive collaboration between Mawhiba and the Ministry, forming an effective partnership that positively impacted the gifted and creative community in the Kingdom.
Dr. Amal highlighted that the Kingdom is all set to host its first Olympiad of this magnitude next year, with the participation of 89 countries. The event will be organized in partnership between Mawhiba, the Ministry of Education, and King Saud University, sponsored by the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC).
The IChO is an annual global competition in chemistry, specially designed for high school students. It spans ten days and includes two exams – a theoretical and a practical exam, each lasting five hours. Apart from being a scientific competition, it serves as a platform for cultural exchange and tourism, allowing host countries to showcase their scientific capabilities, culture, and prominent tourist attractions.
Source: Saudi Press Agency