King Abdulaziz University Concludes Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program for Female Students

King Abdulaziz University concluded the 2026 Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program for female students, organized in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba). The closing ceremony was held on Thursday, 29 July 2026, at the King Fahd Medical Research Center in the presence of Dr. Mohammed bin Hassan Al-Hashimi, Director of the King Fahd Medical Research Center. The program featured 25 gifted female students presenting 25 research projects.

During the ceremony, the University recognized the program’s host entities, strategic partners, executive team, and participating students, while also honoring the winning teams. Team Al-Istiqrar received the Gold Medal, followed by Team Al-Binaa, which earned the Silver Medal, and Team Al-Barakah, which was awarded the Bronze Medal.

In the Best Scientific Poster Award, Dana Al-Harbi secured first place. Jana Harsani and Mayar Al-Khard shared second place, while Ghina Al-Buqami received third place.

Dr. Hind Abdulrazzaq Abdulmajeed, Program Director, explained that the program aims to develop gifted female students academically, professionally, and personally within an inspiring and supportive research environment to achieve sustainable impact. She noted that, over the course of four weeks, participants completed research projects aligned with the Kingdom’s national priorities for research, development, and innovation in the field of human health. The projects spanned seven research areas: drug discovery and development, 3D bioprinting, molecular diagnostics and biotechnology, toxicology and forensic medicine, nanomedicine and biotechnology, virology and infectious diseases, and clinical laboratory sciences.

Nouf Al-Nafie, Senior Research Programs Officer at Mawhiba, emphasized that building a competitive knowledge-based economy begins with investing in talented young minds. She noted that scientific research is a cornerstone of sustainable development, a driver of innovation, and a key enabler of national competitiveness. Through its partnerships with universities, research centers, and national institutions, Mawhiba provides high-quality research experiences that enable students to engage in scientific research, strengthen their capabilities, realize their innovative potential, and prepare them to contribute to the Kingdom’s future in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and the priorities of the national Research, Development, and Innovation ecosystem.