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, in collaboration with Slovenia's Ministry of Education, has initiated an overseas training camp for Saudi Arabia's astronomy and space team. This program is set to commence on August 16, 2026, and will run until August 29, 2026. The camp is strategically positioned in Ober, Slovenia, and will last for two weeks.

The primary objective of this intensive training camp is to equip the Saudi team with the necessary skills and knowledge required to excel in the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, scheduled to take place in Vietnam in 2026. The training will be comprehensive, encompassing both theoretical and practical aspects of astronomy and related fields.

The camp will be run in conjunction with the Slovenian astronomy team and the Association of Mathematicians, Physicists, and Astronomers in Slovenia. The training will be highly specialized, focusing on all Olympiad topics, including astronomical observation, data analysis, theoretical aspects, and the cultivation of quick and efficient problem-solving skills. This will be achieved through simulations of international Olympiad exams.

One of the unique features of this camp is its location in an area free from light pollution, ensuring optimal conditions for astronomical observation. This will provide the participants with an invaluable opportunity to practice observing skies distinct from those in Saudi Arabia, thereby enhancing their applied skills.

Furthermore, the camp will also offer the participants the chance to engage in joint training sessions with their Slovenian counterparts. This will foster a competitive yet motivating environment, encourage the exchange of experiences, and expose the Saudi team to international best practices in preparing scientific Olympiad teams.

The camp is a testament to the ongoing commitment of Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education in preparing gifted students for global scientific competitions, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.