The city of Jeddah has become a global platform for young minds with the launch of the third edition of the International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO 2026), which Saudi Arabia is hosting for the first time. The event, which brings together 120 students and experts from 19 countries, reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening its presence on the international scientific stage while developing national talent in one of the fields most closely linked to the future of development. The International Nuclear Science Olympiad is the world’s leading competition for high school students in this field. It is organized under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), King Abdulaziz University, and the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy. The Olympiad aims to promote scientific excellence and international cooperation in the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. During the opening ceremony, Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan stated that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of this global event reflects the strong support provided by the Kingdom’s leadership to education, research, and innovation. He described the event as a practical expression of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program through investment in human capital, strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a global destination for knowledge, and attracting major scientific competitions. He explained that the Olympiad, officially endorsed by the IAEA since 2024, brings together outstanding students and experts as a global platform for exchanging expertise and inspiring a new generation of scientists capable of developing solutions and innovations in the fields of peaceful nuclear energy applications, nuclear security, and nuclear technologies. Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation at the IAEA Hua Liu said the third edition marks an important milestone in the development of INSO, which is rapidly evolving into an inspiring global platform for young people. He noted that nuclear science and technology play a pivotal role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their peaceful applications in disease diagnosis and cancer treatment, strengthening food security, managing water resources, protecting the environment and cultural heritage, improving industrial processes, and generating reliable low-carbon energy. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Dr. Anas Al-Wafi, Chairman of the Scientific Committee for Hosting the Olympiad, said that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of this edition reflects the importance and support that the Kingdom’s leadership places on education, scientific research, and the development of national capabilities. He added that the royal approval to host the event underscores the central role of science and innovation in Saudi Arabia’s development journey. Al-Wafi explained that the scientific committee includes a distinguished group of local experts from King Abdulaziz University, several government agencies, and Saudi universities, alongside international experts from universities and research centers specializing in nuclear sciences and technologies. This, he said, ensures that the examinations are prepared and judged according to the highest international standards while promoting fairness and transparency throughout all stages of the competition. He added that the Olympiad’s examinations are designed to measure scientific thinking rather than rote memorization. Nuclear science is inherently multidisciplinary, combining physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and computer science. Consequently, the competition evaluates a student’s ability to apply knowledge from multiple disciplines to solve real-world scientific problems rather than simply recall theoretical information. Al-Wafi noted that the questions simulate practical applications in nuclear energy, nuclear medicine, environmental science, and industry. He stressed that the student most likely to excel is “not the one who has memorized the most information, but the one who possesses scientific curiosity, logical reasoning skills, and the ability to transform fundamental knowledge into practical solutions.” These are the skills that will shape the future of nuclear science and technology. He also revealed that the Olympiad’s impact extends well beyond the announcement of results. He cited the example of a Saudi student who participated in the previous edition without winning a medal, yet whose experience became a turning point in his academic journey. The student is now studying nuclear engineering at one of the top universities in the United States. Al-Wafi stressed that the true success of the Olympiad “is not measured by the number of medals won, but by the lasting impact it has on students’ futures.” He added that the international committee maintains ongoing engagement among participants through events and activities that connect alumni from previous editions with new competitors, helping build a global scientific community that exchanges expertise and encourages collaboration among young people. Al-Wafi further explained that King Abdulaziz University was chosen to host the Olympiad because of its scientific legacy spanning more than 50 years. The university’s Department of Nuclear Engineering is the oldest specialized department of its kind in the region and has played a key role in developing highly qualified national talent, specialized academic and research expertise, and advanced laboratories that support education, training, and scientific research in nuclear engineering and technology. He added that through hosting this edition, Saudi Arabia seeks to demonstrate not only its organizational capability to host global events, but also its scientific foundation and national expertise capable of leading the technical and academic dimensions of a highly specialized international event. This reflects the maturity of Saudi universities and institutions and their ability to integrate effectively with international expertise. Al-Wafi linked the Olympiad to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s national atomic energy program, explaining that the event supports efforts to build human capabilities and prepare a new generation of scientists, engineers, and researchers capable of contributing to the future of peaceful nuclear energy and technology applications. It also strengthens Saudi Arabia’s presence within the international scientific community and creates broader opportunities for collaboration among universities, research centers, and specialized institutions while fostering sustainable scientific partnerships. He emphasized that nuclear science is no longer limited to energy production. It now plays an important role in medicine, agriculture, industry, environmental protection, and even the preservation of cultural heritage and archaeological sites.
