Riyadh Prepares Saudi High School Students for International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics
In a bustling Summer Forum in Riyadh, Saudi high school students are gearing up to compete in the prestigious 17th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Wednesday.
Scheduled to take place from August 17 to 27, 2024, in the city of Vassouras, Brazil, this year marks Saudi Arabia’s debut in the IOAA, an annual competition that commenced in 2007.
SPA disclosed that Mawhiba, formally known as the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, launched the Summer Forum on July 7 in collaboration with the Saudi Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST).
Running until August 1, the forum’s main objective is to train 11 talented male and female students for the upcoming Olympiad.
According to the report, the forum aims to equip students with the essential skills needed to excel in the Olympiad, fostering a generation well-versed in space science and technology.
Furthermore, it seeks to raise awareness among students and society about the significance of space science, enhance human capabilities in the space sector, and inspire future generations to pursue careers in applied scientific and engineering fields within the sector.
Over the course of 12 months, Mawhiba and the CST have spearheaded various training programs to cultivate future engineers and scientists who will contribute to the Kingdom’s burgeoning space industry.
The inaugural IOAA event took place in the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand, from November 30 to December 9 of the same year.
Brazil, hosting the Olympiad for the second time, previously hosted the 6th Olympiad from August 4 to 13, 2012, in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Vassouras.