RIYADH: A delegation from the Gulf Cooperation Council, represented by the undersecretaries of the ministries of education of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Yemen, as well as several officials from the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, on Monday visited the headquarters of the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, known as Mawhiba.

The visit aimed to explore Saudi Arabia’s development of the skills of talented people. It also focused on Mawhiba’s commitment to aligning with the leadership’s approach to encourage creativity and innovation among students, fostering a competitive scientific environment.

During the delegation’s trip to the foundation, visitors spoke to Dr. Khaled Al-Sharif, the director general of Mawhiba’s Center of Excellence. He discussed Mawhiba’s strategy and the programs available for talented public education students.

Mawhiba’s programs discover talented students, who are sponsored and trained, and encouraged to take part in international academic competitions.

The delegation was briefed on the foundation’s scientific projects and publications, as well as its experience of partnering with schools.

The visitors met Mawhiba’s students and reviewed their research, which will be presented in Saudi and international scientific exhibitions and competitions. The delegation praised Mawhiba’s management of talented Saudi students, as well as the foundation’s diverse range of programs.

The delegation said that the visit represented an opportunity to exchange expertise, explore avenues of cooperation, and is an important step toward the development of unified strategies to support talent in the Arab Gulf region.

It came as part of Mawhiba’s efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation in the fields of science, technology and innovation.