Empowering Arab Minds: Mawhiba and UNESCO Join Forces to Enhance STEM Education
In a groundbreaking move, Mawhiba, an organization dedicated to nurturing talented Saudi students in the scientific field, has partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to revolutionize STEM education across Arab countries.
Signing of the Agreement in Paris
The partnership agreement was officially signed on July 19, 20204 in Paris by Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Subail, Mawhiba’s deputy secretary-general for business development and communication, and Lidia Arthur Brito, UNESCO’s assistant director-general for natural sciences, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
Mawhiba: Fostering Creativity and Innovation
Mawhiba, short for the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, was established in 1999 to honor Saudi Arabia’s founding king.
Enhancing STEM Education Across Arab States
The partnership aims to enhance STEM education for students from 6th grade to 12th grade in Arab states, focusing on refining scientific knowledge, nurturing creativity, and fostering critical thinking, according to Brito.
Empowering Arab Girls in STEM Fields
Special attention will be given to empowering Arab girls and young women, ensuring they have equal opportunities to excel in STEM fields.
Global Recognition for Saudi Arabia
Mawhiba’s efforts have led to global recognition, with Saudi students winning over 397 medals and prizes in international science competitions and developing over 16,000 ideas.
Advancing Sustainable Development
The collaboration between Mawhiba and UNESCO aims to empower young Arab minds and advance sustainable development through education and innovation, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
MAWHIBA-UNESCO Online STEM Oasis
Central to the initiative is the MAWHIBA-UNESCO Online STEM Oasis, a global platform for science and engineering fairs, training Arab science teachers, and enhancing the quality of STEM education.
Building Capacity for Young Scientists
Mawhiba is committed to expanding the use of the UNESCO Open Science Portal and the UNESCO Science-2-Innovation Network to build the capacity of young scientists and women in STEM education globally.
Addressing Global Challenges
By partnering with UNESCO, Mawhiba aims to amplify its efforts in addressing global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and technological disruptions.