Saudi Bags Bronze in Scientific Olympiad

Sunday, 13 January 2008
By Kholood F. Al-Rhamah

JEDDAH - A Saudi student won the bronze medal in the 4th International Scientific Olympiad held from Dec. 3-11, 2007.

Mazen Mahmoud Abo Al-Huoda, 15, bested 276 participants from 46 countries. He was among six other Saudi students in the olympiad.

"I felt a deep sense of patriotism when they shone the light on the Saudi Arabian flag during the opening ceremony. It was at that moment I felt I had to go back home a winner," Mazen said.

Mahmoud Abo Al-Huoda, his father, said Mazen had learned how to read and write even before he began schooling.

The boy began showing strong interest in science upon reaching 5th grade. Mahmoud nurtured Mazen's inclination by giving him books on the subject and registering him in various courses.

"I didn't just depend on school curriculums but tried to widen my son's thinking as much as I could," Mahmoud said.

Since Mazen is young and inexperienced in traveling alone, he and his mother were initially jittery in joining the olympiad.

"I had to convince his mother to let him go because I wanted him to go through the experience," said Mahmoud. "I pointed out to her that the people Mazen would be traveling with were high officials and trustworthy."

Although Mazen was given a celebration party in his school, Mahmoud feels the recognition his son deserves from officials is lacking.

"When sportsmen win medals, everybody rejoices. But if its achievements in education, it's as if it's no big deal. That's too bad because we have so many talented students," said Al-Mahmoud.

The international scientific Olympiad is a scientific contest involving the theoretical and practical side of natural science. The participants are given three tests on chemistry, physics and biology across nine days.

Winners are determined based on such factors as their scores on the scientific achievements tests, their overall intelligence, and their capability to participate in such tilt as assessed by seminar groups.

The contest is held yearly in different countries under the supervision of respective ministries of education.