DHAHRAN TO HOST 25TH ASIAN PHYSICS OLYMPIAD WITH PARTICIPANTS FROM 30 NATIONS

RIYADH, April 27 (Bernama) -- Saudi Arabia is set to host the 25th Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO 25) in Dhahran from May 4–12, welcoming 240 top high school physics students from 30 nations across Asia and Oceania, including Malaysia.

Chairman of the APhO 25 Organising Committee, Badr Al-Majrathi, said Saudi Arabia's hosting of this prestigious international scientific forum reflects its growing capabilities in nurturing talent and promoting innovation.

“This event is a testament to the Kingdom’s strategy to invest in human capital and to elevate national talents.

“It also showcases the confidence of international institutions in our organisational expertise and scientific infrastructure,” he said in a statement to Bernama.

APhO is a prestigious annual competition for high school students from Asia and Oceania, established in 2000 at the initiative of Indonesia. It features a five-hour theoretical exam and five-hour experimental tests. Each country can nominate up to eight students to compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals, as well as honourable mentions.

According to the APhO 25 Organising Committee, Malaysia, a consistent and prominent participant in the APhO, brings to the competition a rich history of academic excellence and strong performances.

Malaysia also hosted the 24th edition of the Olympiad in 2024, reinforcing its pivotal role in advancing physics education across the region.

Organised by the Ministry of Education, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), APhO 25 will be held on the university campus, with exclusive sponsorship from Saudi Aramco.

Founded by Professor Yohanes Surya and the then-president of the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), the APhO made its debut in Indonesia in 1999 with 12 participating countries.

It has since grown into a major preparatory event for the IPhO, usually held two months later. Student selection is highly competitive, with nominees undergoing intensive training and national-level evaluations.

Since joining APhO in 2012, Saudi Arabia has won 16 international physics awards, highlighting its growing presence in global scientific competitions.

Hosting the 2025 edition is expected to inspire students and boost the Kingdom’s academic standing.

Following Dhahran in 2025, South Korea and Thailand will carry the torch of the Asian Physics Olympiad in 2026 and 2027 respectively, maintaining its legacy of fostering academic collaboration and scientific discovery across Asia and beyond.

-- BERNAMA