The Saudi Informatics Team won four international awards at the 33rd Balkan Olympiad in Informatics (BOI 2026), held in Tirana, Albania, with the participation of 75 students representing 18 countries.
Saad Bandar Al-Arifi, from the General Directorate of Education in Riyadh Region, won the silver medal, securing Saudi Arabia’s first-ever silver medal in the history of its participation in the Olympiad. The two bronze medals went to Fares Yasser Al-Raddadi, from the General Directorate of Education in Madinah Region, and Mohammed Abdulrahman Bashkiel, from the General Directorate of Education in Jeddah. Hashem Ibrahim Basyouni, from the General Directorate of Education at the Royal Commission in Yanbu, received a Certificate of Appreciation.
With these results, Saudi Arabia’s total tally at the Balkan Olympiad in Informatics has risen to 17 awards across four participations: one silver medal, eight bronze medals, and eight certificates of appreciation.
Mawhiba’s International Olympiad Program
The achievement was made possible through Mawhiba’s International Olympiad Program, implemented by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education. The program provides an integrated system of training programs and camps supervised by local and international experts, with the aim of strengthening students’ scientific and competitive skills.
Members of the Saudi team completed a series of progressive training camps and programs, including qualifying competitions, tests, and simulations of international contests. These activities focused on developing problem-solving skills, algorithm design, programming strategies, and the ability to tackle complex problems.
Students’ training and preparation under Mawhiba’s International Olympiad Program extends over two to four years, ensuring their gradual and systematic readiness for regional and international competitions and strengthening their ability to represent the Kingdom at global scientific events.
Established in 1993, the Balkan Olympiad in Informatics is one of the leading annual regional competitions in computer science and programming for secondary-school students. Participants compete individually to solve complex algorithmic and programming problems.
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