Saudi Team Wins First Silver at IOI 2026

Saudi Arabia's national informatics team secured three international awards at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) 2026, held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 9 to 16 August 2026 — headlined by the Kingdom's first-ever silver medal in the history of its participation in the competition.

The silver medal was won by Mohammed Nasser Al-Asmari, a student from the Royal Commission for Jubail Education Department. Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Aiban, a student from the General Directorate of Education in Riyadh, claimed a bronze medal, while Saad Bandar Al-Araifi, also from the General Directorate of Education in Riyadh, earned a certificate of merit.

With this year's results, Saudi Arabia's cumulative record at the IOI now stands at 14 international awards: one silver medal, eight bronze medals, and five certificates of merit.

IOI 2026 marked the 38th edition of the event, which is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious global competitions in computer science for secondary and high school students. Teams are selected and supported internally through national giftedness and education programs.

Why it matters

The breakthrough silver reflects the growing strength of the Kingdom's talent pipeline in computer science and problem-solving — fields central to the country's push toward a knowledge-based economy. For students and families across Riyadh, Jeddah, and beyond, results like these highlight the expanding opportunities available to young Saudis in technology and innovation.

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