KACST Launches Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program 2026 with Participation of Over 90 Students

2026-07-06T14:28:29.879Z

The Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program 2026, organized by Academy 32 in collaboration with the Mawhiba Foundation, was launched at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) with the participation of over 90 male and female students from various regions of the Kingdom. The program aims to develop their research and practical skills and prepare them for local and international scientific competitions.

Today, the Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program 2026 was launched at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), organized by Academy 32 in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba). The launch was attended by Dr. Khaled Al-Dakkan, First Vice President of KACST for Innovation Parks, and includes the participation of over 90 students from across the Kingdom.

The program runs for four weeks and aims to enhance the culture of research, development, and innovation among gifted students by introducing them to the basics and importance of scientific research, connecting them with research centers, strengthening their relationships with researchers, scientists, and specialists, as well as developing and refining their research and practical skills through hands-on practice. This contributes to preparing a generation of national talents capable of enriching local content and supporting the research, development, and innovation ecosystem.

During the opening ceremony, Vice President of Academy 32 Abdulrahman Al-Shahri explained that the program contributes to building the capabilities of emerging talents and preparing them to compete in local, regional, and international competitions. He noted that participants in the previous edition achieved qualitative accomplishments, with several winning major awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2026), as well as gold and silver medals at the International Invention and Innovation Exhibition (ITEX 2026) in Malaysia.

Al-Shahri added that the program allows participants to benefit from the research expertise and advanced infrastructure of the National Lab and Innovation Park at KACST, enhancing their ability to develop research projects and outputs that support national priorities and contribute to enhancing the Kingdom's global competitiveness.

The program offers gifted students an integrated training track, starting with the knowledge program that develops research, development, and innovation skills through scientific lectures and workshops, followed by the research program that provides practical application of the fundamentals, ethics, and skills of scientific research, and concludes with the mentorship program that prepares gifted students to participate in local, regional, and international competitions.