Saudi Students Clinch Spots at Prestigious US Science & Engineering Fair
Nine top Saudi students from the Eastern Province have secured spots on Saudi Arabia's Science and Engineering Team for the 2025 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Los Angeles. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) confirmed their qualification after a fiercely competitive national selection process. This fair, known as the world's largest pre-college science competition, attracts over 1,800 students from more than 75 countries and offers significant prizes, including a top award of $75,000.
The students triumphed in a four-stage contest organized by the Ministry of Education and Mawhiba (King Abdulaziz Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity). Their path included project evaluations, digital assessments, regional showcases, and a final Riyadh exhibition featuring 180+ national innovators. Empowering Future Visionaries
Sami Al-Otaibi, Eastern Province Education Director, praised the achievement as a milestone for Saudi youth. 'This success mirrors our leadership's commitment to nurturing talent under Vision 2030,' he stated. The students' projects span AI, renewable energy, and biomedical engineering—key sectors aligned with Saudi Arabia's economic diversification goals.
ISEF, the world's largest pre-college STEM competition, will host 1,600 participants from 80+ countries in May 2024. Saudi students have previously claimed 22 ISEF awards since 2007, showcasing the Kingdom's growing scientific prowess. Building a Knowledge-Based Economy
The winners will receive advanced training from Mawhiba and university partners to refine their projects. This initiative underscores Saudi Arabia's push to position youth as drivers of innovation, supporting Vision 2030's goal to transform the nation into a tech-driven hub.
Saudi Arabia actively joined ISEF in 2007, with Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education driving this initiative. Since then, Saudi students consistently excel, securing 160 awards at this renowned competition. Specifically, they claim 110 grand awards and 50 special awards. ISEF proudly ranks as the world's largest pre-college STEM event. These bright innovators showcase their research and innovation projects to international scientists. Ultimately, this global stage delivers priceless experience and recognition to all participants.
Short link :
Post Views: 23
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
21 hours ago
- Arab News
How AI tech innovation has elevated the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage experience
RIYADH: As the annual Hajj pilgrimage draws millions of Muslims to Makkah in 2025, Saudi Arabia is using a powerful suite of artificial intelligence tools to ensure that this sacred journey is safer, smoother, and more spiritually enriching than ever before. In a remarkable blend of ancient ritual and modern innovation, the Kingdom is harnessing AI, biometric technologies, and digital services to overcome the logistical challenges of hosting one of the world's largest religious gatherings — from crowd control to heat management — all while preserving the sanctity of the experience. 'Saudi Arabia carries an immense responsibility in hosting millions of pilgrims,' Hatem Mandeel, managing director and co-founder of the digital transformation consultancy Tyde AI, told Arab News. 'It continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to this role through innovative approaches to event management and safety.' At the heart of this transformation is Vision 2030, the Kingdom's national roadmap for economic diversification and digital growth. This year's Hajj reflects those ambitions in action, with technologies being used to streamline everything from spiritual guidance to crowd movement. This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field) Among the most notable are two new tools — the Smart Enrichment Assistant and the Digital Mutawwif. Developed by the Agency for Religious Affairs at the Prophet's Mosque, the Smart Enrichment Assistant provides real-time updates on prayer times, imam schedules, and locations of religious activities. Offered in numerous languages, it reduces logistical stress while deepening spiritual engagement for pilgrims. The Digital Mutawwif, meanwhile, was created by the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque to serve as a digital companion for Umrah pilgrims. It includes navigation tools for tawaf and sa'i, a library of audio-visual supplications, and built-in ritual counters to help pilgrims stay focused and on track. These tools are complemented by the Makkah Route Initiative, a fast-track immigration service powered by biometric technology and AI. Now operating at 11 international airports in seven countries, the initiative allows pilgrims to complete visa, customs, and health checks before boarding their flights — reducing congestion on arrival. It is supported by round-the-clock monitoring systems run by the Saudi Data and AI Authority, which ensure health compliance and swift issue resolution through AI-driven analytics. Behind the scenes, more sophisticated AI platforms are addressing the enormous logistical demands of Hajj. One of the most critical is Baseer, a platform developed by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with the Saudi Data and AI Authority. Using computer vision and machine learning, Baseer tracks and analyzes the movements of more than one million worshippers a day inside the Grand Mosque. The insights help authorities predict crowd surges and prevent dangerous bottlenecks. • Smart Enrichment Assistant helps pilgrims navigate rituals with real-time updates and multilingual spiritual guidance. • Digital Mutawwif guides pilgrims step by step through tawaf and sa'i, with visual aids, supplications, and ritual counters. • Makkah Route Initiative fast tracks immigration using biometrics and AI, easing congestion before pilgrims even arrive. • Baseer tracks more than a million worshippers a day to manage crowd flow and prevent bottlenecks at the Grand Mosque. Using AI at this scale is a major milestone in event management, especially in sensitive, sacred contexts. 'Building this technology is one thing, but maintaining system reliability under high demand, ensuring data privacy and properly onboarding personnel is a whole operation in itself,' Mandeel said. Adding a more personal and interactive touch, the Kingdom has also introduced Manarah 2, a multilingual robot equipped with a smart touchscreen. It provides real-time information and guidance to pilgrims in several languages, along with a dedicated application to help non-Arabic speakers recite Surah Al-Fatiha correctly. 'This demonstrates how Saudi Arabia is taking the initiative to manage — but also elevate — the sacred journey for millions of pilgrims,' Mandeel said. 'This is a powerful example of how AI can thoughtfully enhance sacred, deeply human experiences — something more people globally should be aware of and inspired by.' With extreme heat, massive crowds, and time-sensitive rituals, the pilgrimage poses huge logistical challenges. But Saudi Arabia's strategic investment in AI is setting a global standard for how digital transformation can serve human traditions. 'This proactive use of technology not only supports the goals of Vision 2030,' Mandeel said. 'But also offers a model for other nations managing large-scale gatherings in sensitive contexts.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Marks World Environment Day, Urges Global Action on Plastic Pollution
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture reiterated on Thursday the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to environmental protection, the preservation and sustainability of natural resources, and the rehabilitation of ecosystems. It also stressed the critical need to mobilize national and international efforts to reduce environmental pollution worldwide, aligning with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. On the occasion of World Environment Day, annually observed on June 5, the ministry underscored the grave threat posed by plastic pollution, which has escalated into a widespread global crisis. United Nations statistics reveal that over 400 million tons of plastic are produced annually worldwide, yet the recycling rate for this immense volume does not exceed 10%. This alarming statistic highlights the severe harm inflicted upon marine life and the alarming entry of microplastic particles from plastic waste into the food chain within seas and oceans. The world celebrates World Environment Day with this year's theme being "Beat Plastic Pollution," which emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about tackling plastic pollution and fostering enhanced cooperation between the government sector and local communities. The goal is to encourage the adoption of sustainable environmental practices that will lead to a healthy, pollution-free future. The ministry said that the Kingdom has made tangible progress in aligning its national environmental policies and plans with global developments. It has launched several pioneering environmental initiatives, both locally and internationally, including the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. Additionally, numerous national programs and initiatives are in place to enhance community awareness of the importance of environmental conservation through the adoption of sound practices. The Kingdom also annually organizes the "Environment Week" event across all its regions to contribute to raising the level of community participation in environmental programs and practices, reflecting the profound concern for environmental issues within Saudi society.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's Port of NEOM installs 1st automated cranes, targets 2026 launch
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's $500-billion giga-project NEOM has installed the Kingdom's first fully automated, remote-controlled cranes at its Red Sea port as it moves ahead with plans to begin operations in 2026. The delivery of next-generation ship-to-shore and electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes marks a key milestone in the development of Terminal 1, which will accommodate the world's largest container ships. NEOM is aiming to position the facility as a global logistics hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. The facility supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by contributing to economic diversification through enhanced trade, logistics, and industrial capabilities. As global supply chains shift toward resilience and efficiency, NEOM's strategic Red Sea location positions it as a vital link between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Sean Kelly, managing director of Port of NEOM, said: 'The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a tangible milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port.' He added: 'We're not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, but we're also setting a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, innovation and establishing a vital trade gateway for the Kingdom and the region beyond.' The new cranes will enable high-efficiency operations while allowing remote control from ergonomic workstations. Infrastructure developments, including a 900-meter quay wall and an 18.5-meter-deep channel, ensure the port can handle the largest vessels transiting the Suez Canal. Terminal 1 will also feature horizontal transport automation, boosting logistics capacity and regional industrial growth. Alongside infrastructure upgrades, the port is investing in local talent development. A specialized program is training Saudi workers, including women, for high-tech roles such as remote crane operations. Ten participants from Saudi Arabia's Tabuk region are currently in a two-year program combining technical training and mentorship. Trainee Hajjer Alatawi said: 'This experience has shown me that port logistics is far more complex than just moving cargo; it's about teamwork, precision and responsibility. Seeing more Saudi women entering this space gives me hope for a future where industries are defined by skills, not gender.' The press release added that by empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, 'Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM's vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.'
