Saudi Arabia Nominates 45 Scientific Projects for ISEF 2024

The Riyadh governor with students nominated for participation in ISEF 2024. (SPA)
The Riyadh governor with students nominated for participation in ISEF 2024. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Nominates 45 Scientific Projects for ISEF 2024

The Riyadh governor with students nominated for participation in ISEF 2024. (SPA)
The Riyadh governor with students nominated for participation in ISEF 2024. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s “Mawhiba” program selected 45 scientific projects to represent the Kingdom at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2024) after winning the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity (Ibdaa).

Over 210,000 students from various Saudi cities participated in the Olympiad.

ISEF, considered the world’s largest pre-university scientific research competition held in the US, will feature these projects, with around 1,800 students from over 70 countries.

Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the Riyadh region governor, presided over the closing ceremony of the Olympiad, which was organized by Mawhiba in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

The students representing Saudi Arabia at ISEF 2024 were announced during the event.

Prince Faisal congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the international scientific achievements of Saudi youth.

He emphasized the leadership’s support for education and students, expressing confidence in the young talents who have brought pride to the Kingdom.

The governor wished success to these talents as they compete globally, aiming for top positions to showcase Saudi Arabia’s scientific prowess.

He also thanked Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education for their efforts in nurturing and developing these promising talents.

Dr. Amal Al-Hazza, Mawhiba’s Secretary-General, explained that judging committees selected 45 projects out of 390 presented in regional exhibitions in Jeddah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.

These projects, reflecting significant research efforts, will now compete in ISEF 2024.



London Zoo's Residents Are Counted in their Annual Stocktake

A zoo keeper counts Squirrel Monkeys during the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
A zoo keeper counts Squirrel Monkeys during the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
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London Zoo's Residents Are Counted in their Annual Stocktake

A zoo keeper counts Squirrel Monkeys during the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
A zoo keeper counts Squirrel Monkeys during the annual stocktake at London Zoo in London, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

From alpacas to zebras — and lots of birds, reptiles and invertebrates in between — London Zoo on Friday is taking stock of what it possesses.
The annual census of the zoo's 10,000-plus occupants is a requirement of its license, and the information gleaned will be shared with zoos around the world to help manage breeding programs of endangered species.
Glynn Hennessy, the zoo's lead primate keeper, said that zoos are “really good now” at sharing information.
“We can sort of see the genetic pathway of every individual,” The Associated Press quoted him as saying. “We can see who their grandparents were, how they're overrepresented, if they are underrepresented, so it gives us so much information to make sure that we're breeding responsibly.”
Hennessy said that 2024 was a “massive” year for the zoo with two baby gorillas — Juno and Venus — and three Asiatic lion cubs — Mali, Syanii and Shanti — born. There were also 11 penguin chicks, always a fan favorite.
And for those who like their frogs, there are 53 new ones to admire. And not just any frog. The new residents are named after Charles Darwin, no less, and arrived in the fall from Chile as part of an effort to save the species from a deadly fungus.
While recording large mammals is relatively simple, it's not so easy to identify the diverse array of invertebrates, which now includes a new thriving hive of honeybees, which luckily for the number crunchers will only be counted as one.