Saudi Team to Compete in Astronomy & Astrophysics Olympiad in Brazil

A Saudi team will participate in the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2024) for the first time in Brazil. The nation's debut in this global competition is the result of a collaborative effort between the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba).

The Saudi Astronomy Team will be represented by three students: Jude Basem Al-Luhyani from Makkah, Fajr Hassan Al-Obaidan from Al-Ahsa, and Hussein Hassan Al-Mubarak from the Eastern Province. Each member of the team has undergone approximately 590 hours of specialized training in preparation for the event. The students were engaged in a 12-month training program focusing on areas such as astronomical observation, celestial mechanics, astrophysics, and cosmology.

This participation stems from joint programs developed by CST and Mawhiba, specifically designed to train and prepare students for international competitions. The initiative highlights CST's commitment to fostering national talent, empowering local individuals, and motivating students to pursue careers in the space sector and related fields.

This effort is aligned with CST’s broader objective of providing educational and training opportunities to build a strong national cadre capable of keeping pace with the rapidly evolving space industry and enhancing Saudi Arabia's capabilities in the field.