The Saudi informatics team EGOI achieved three international awards at the 2026 European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics, held in Cesenatico, Italy, from May 12 to 18. The competition featured more than 248 female students from 68 countries competing in advanced programming challenges.
The Kingdom’s participants won one bronze medal and two certificates of appreciation. Al-Reem Ali Al-Mutawa from the General Education Administration in Al-Ahsa Province secured the bronze medal. Maryam Mohammed Al-Juwad and Ayat Hussein Al-Khalifa, both from the General Education Administration in the Eastern Region, each received certificates of appreciation.
Saudi Arabia’s Cumulative Performance at EGOI
This year’s results bring Saudi Arabia’s total awards at EGOI to 10 international recognitions since first participating in 2022. The Kingdom’s medal count includes two silver medals, six bronze medals, and two certificates of appreciation across five consecutive competitions.
Mawhiba’s Role in International Preparation
Saudi Arabia participates in the competition through the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, known as Mawhiba, in partnership with the Ministry of Education. The organization oversees a structured training program that begins with discovery and nomination stages, progresses through local competitions and intensive training camps, and culminates in international representation.
This approach reflects broader efforts to prepare male and female students for international academic competitions through rigorous skill development in computational thinking and programming. The training journey identifies talented students early and provides specialized preparation for global-level competition.
About the European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics
EGOI is an annual individual programming competition designed for girls interested in computer science. Participants solve advanced algorithmic and programming problems that require high-level skills in analysis, design, and implementation. The competition launched for the first time in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2021.
The event aims to deepen girls’ interest in computer science, encourage international competition, identify and support talented students, and build role models. It also promotes cultural exchange and friendly relations among competitors, educators, and computer scientists from different countries.
Looking Forward
Mawhiba continues to develop national strategies for discovering and nurturing talent in priority scientific fields. The foundation’s work supports broader goals of building a knowledge-based society and promoting a culture of innovation across the Kingdom.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
