JEDDAH: The King Abdul Aziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) has told a US conference of its experience hosting summer enrichment programs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Council for Gifted and Talented Children conference, titled “Developing The Future Of Gifted Education,” was held virtually and included representatives from 55 countries around the world. Dr. Khaled Al-Sharif, director general of Mawhiba’s Center of Excellence, reviewed the foundation’s experience and talked about its efforts in establishing summer enrichment programs and support initiatives for talented students during the pandemic. He also spoke on Mawhiba’s ability to transform the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity for success and a means to adapt technology, develop its business, and launch the e-mawhiba digital transformation project, which aims to become a “leap to the future.” Organized by Mawhiba and the Saudi Ministry of Education each summer, the enrichment programs aim to meet the future needs of highly qualified Saudis. It comes as part of the Kingdom’s ambition to realize Vision 2030, grow interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and develop the leadership capabilities of students. Mawhiba’s summer enrichment programs are one of 20 initiatives offered to gifted students, who must undergo numerous testing stages based on international standards in order to qualify for the foundation.