Riyadh: Head of the Saudi delegation at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Eng. Anas Al-Hunaihin confirmed that the Saudi national science and engineering team's entries cover fields aligned with national priorities for research, development, and innovation.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Al-Hunaihin stated that this year's projects span new scientific fields, most notably arts-related technologies, alongside biomedical sciences, pharmacology, and medical engineering, as well as fields where Saudi students have previously established a global presence, including energy, materials science, and environmental engineering.
Al-Hunaihin noted that the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity (Ibdaa), a joint Mawhiba and Ministry of Education initiative, is the primary gateway for identifying gifted students. He emphasized that the Mawhiba ecosystem supports these students through research programs, enrichment initiatives, and intellectual property services.
Furthermore, he highlighted the program's sustainability, noting that previous projects have transitioned into startups in the Kingdom and Silicon Valley, with former participants now returning to mentor the next generation of innovators.