In a move to cultivate the next generation of talent in Saudi Arabia, 68 students from Makkah were recently honored at the Munafis Award ceremony for the year 2025. The event, held under the patronage of the Deputy Governor of Makkah, Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, spotlights the Kingdom’s focus on building a robust pipeline of skilled and entrepreneurial youth.
Quick Facts
- 68 students awarded in Makkah region.
- Tracks include entrepreneurship and future skills.
- Initiative aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
Cultivating Talent Beyond The Classroom
The Munafis Award is designed to identify and develop distinguished students from the first primary grade through to the final year of secondary school. The initiative moves beyond traditional academic metrics, evaluating students across seven distinct tracks designed to foster well-rounded capabilities.
These tracks include standardized testing, knowledge acquisition, and volunteer work, alongside categories critical to the Kingdom’s future economy: Innovation and Scientific Talent, and Future Skills and Entrepreneurship. By incorporating these areas, the program aims to equip students with practical skills and an innovative mindset, preparing them for a competitive global market.
A Strategic Pillar For Vision 2030
Officials emphasized that the award is a direct reflection of the national strategy to invest in human capital, a core tenet of Saudi Vision 2030. The program serves as a national platform to discover and support student talent, building a generation capable of leading and competing in an innovation-driven economy.
“The Munafis Award is a national platform that stimulates creativity and excellence, contributing to the discovery and support of student talent in various fields,” stated Abdullah bin Saad Al-Ghannam, Director-General of Education in the Makkah region. “The award embodies the leadership’s focus on investing in people, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places education and knowledge at the heart of sustainable development.”
Al-Ghannam added that the award’s specific tracks in innovation and entrepreneurship provide a real opportunity for students to showcase their abilities and prepare them with the necessary skills to meet modern challenges.
About The Munafis Award
The Munafis Award is a national initiative in Saudi Arabia aimed at recognizing and nurturing outstanding students across various fields of general education. Its objective is to promote a culture of excellence and perseverance by offering specialized knowledge and opportunities in tracks such as standardized testing, knowledge acquisition, volunteer work, scientific innovation, and entrepreneurship. The award is a key component of the Kingdom’s efforts to prepare a skilled and innovative future workforce.
Source: Al Riyadh
