Mawhiba organizes overseas training camp for Saudi astronomy team in Slovenia ahead of Olympiad

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

The camp is being held in collaboration with the Slovenian astronomy team and the Association of Mathematicians, Physicists, and Astronomers in Slovenia. Its aim is to boost the Saudi team’s readiness through an intensive program that combines theoretical and practical training, meeting the requirements of international Olympiad competition.

The camp features specialized training covering all Olympiad topics, including astronomical observation, data analysis, theoretical aspects, and the development of fast and efficient problem-solving skills through simulations of international Olympiad exams.

Participants will benefit from an advanced training environment at a site free from light pollution, allowing for ideal astronomical observation conditions. This will enable them to gain practical experience observing skies different from those in Saudi Arabia, further enhancing their applied skills.

The camp also offers the opportunity for joint training with members of the Slovenian team, fostering a motivating competitive environment, facilitating the exchange of experiences, and providing exposure to international best practices in preparing scientific Olympiad teams.

Ongoing efforts to prepare talented students

This camp is part of Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education’s ongoing efforts to prepare gifted students for global scientific competitions through specialized training programs and international expertise. These initiatives aim to represent Saudi Arabia honorably and strengthen its presence in international scientific Olympiads, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.