The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has marked a major milestone in science education by hosting the 25th edition of the Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO 2025), now underway at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran. Running from May 4 to 12, the prestigious international competition brings together 240 of the brightest high school students from 30 countries, alongside over 100 experts in physics education.
Organized under the theme “Together, We Generate the Energy of the Future,” the Olympiad is co-hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Education, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), and KFUPM, with Saudi Aramco serving as the diamond sponsor.
The opening ceremony featured keynote remarks by Dr. Khalid Al-Sharif, Acting Secretary General of Mawhiba, who emphasized the Kingdom’s long-term investment in youth empowerment, science, and innovation. “This Olympiad is more than a competition; it is a global platform that celebrates knowledge and inspires the next generation of scientists,” he stated.
Dr. Kwek Leong Chuan, President of the Asian Physics Olympiad, described the event as historic, being the first APhO hosted in the Middle East. He lauded the Kingdom’s hospitality and high standards of organization, calling it a “memorable experience for participants worldwide.”
The ceremony also showcased Saudi Arabia’s growing scientific and academic footprint through cultural performances and multimedia presentations, attended by students, educators, and dignitaries from around the world.
Throughout the week, participants will undergo two intensive five-hour exams—one theoretical and one experimental—designed according to internationally rigorous criteria. Beyond the exams, the program includes educational and cultural tours across the Kingdom to foster international dialogue and cultural exchange.
Saudi Arabia has been participating in the APhO since 2012 and has garnered 16 medals to date. Its broader student delegation has accumulated a total of 874 international science competition awards.
This event follows the successful hosting of the 2024 International Chemistry Olympiad in Riyadh, positioning Saudi Arabia as an emerging regional hub for global academic contests and scientific collaboration
