Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program 2026 Launches at KACST with Over 90 Gifted Participants

The Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program 2026 launched at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), organized by Academy 32 at KACST in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba). The launch was attended by Senior Vice President for Innovation Parks Dr. Khalid Aldakkan, with more than 90 male and female students from various regions of the Kingdom participating.
 The program, which runs for four weeks, aims to foster a culture of research, development, and innovation among gifted students by introducing them to the fundamentals of scientific research, connecting them with research centers, and strengthening their relationships with researchers, scientists, and experts, while developing and refining their research and practical skills through hands-on experience, contributing to the preparation of a generation of national talent capable of supporting the research, development, and innovation ecosystem.
 Deputy CEO of Academy 32 Abdulrahman Alshehri explained during the opening ceremony 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 significant accomplishments, with some winning major and special awards at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2026, as well as gold and silver medals at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2026 in Malaysia.
 Alshehri noted that the program enables participants to benefit from research expertise and advanced infrastructure at the National Laboratory and Innovation Park at KACST, enhancing their ability to develop research projects and outputs that support national priorities in research, development, and innovation, and contribute to strengthening the Kingdom's global competitiveness.
 The program offers gifted students a comprehensive training track beginning with the knowledge-based program aimed at developing research, development, and innovation skills through scientific lectures and training workshops, followed by the research program providing practical application of scientific research fundamentals, ethics, and skills, and concluding with the mentorship program that prepares gifted students to participate in local, regional, and international competitions.