Mawhiba concludes overseas astronomy and space camp in Slovenia

The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, has concluded an overseas training camp for Saudi Arabia’s national astronomy and space team. The camp was held in Obrov, Slovenia, from August 16 to 29, 2026, as part of preparations for the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2026, which will take place in Vietnam.

The camp was organized in cooperation with the Slovenian astronomy team and the Association of Mathematicians, Physicists, and Astronomers in Slovenia. It featured an intensive training program combining theoretical and practical components, aimed at raising students’ readiness to compete in the international Olympiad.

The program included specialized training in astronomical observation, data analysis, and theoretical topics, as well as Olympiad exam simulations and the development of scientific problem-solving skills, all designed to enhance the students’ competitiveness at the international level.

Students benefited from a specialized training environment at a site with no light pollution, allowing them to practice astronomical observation under ideal conditions and gain hands-on experience by observing skies different from those in Saudi Arabia.

The camp also provided opportunities for joint training with members of the Slovenian team, fostering the exchange of experiences and exposure to best international practices in preparing scientific Olympiad teams, while strengthening teamwork skills in competitive settings.

This camp is part of Mawhiba’s and its strategic partner the Ministry of Education’s ongoing efforts to prepare and qualify gifted students for international scientific competitions through specialized training programs that leverage global expertise, supporting the Kingdom’s distinguished representation and presence at international scientific events in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.