RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has officially received the Asian Physics Olympiad flag as it prepares to host the 2025 edition of one of the largest scientific events in Asia, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Friday. The symbolic flag was handed over to the Kingdom by Malaysia, which recently hosted the 2024 APhO edition in Kampar.  Saudi Arabia’s team of 8 students won five awards in the 2024 competition, which featured 208 students from 27 countries from June 3-10, 2024. Saudi Arabia won five awards during the 2024 Asian Physics Olympiad held in Kampar, Malaysia. (SPA) Some 27 countries are participating in the 25th APhO, which will be held in May 2025, organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity — also known as the Mawhiba Foundation— and the Ministry of Education, in cooperation with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, SPA said. Dr. Amal bint Abdullah Al-Hazza, Secretary-General of the Mawhiba Foundation, was quoted by SPA as saying hosting such international competition “reflects the great importance and international appreciation of the Kingdom’s position in the scientific and educational field.” It also “confirms the Kingdom’s strength globally, and the extent of its interest in creating a future to achieve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” he said. “This cooperation reflects the Kingdoms commitment to promoting science and knowledge and encouraging students to participate in such international events.  “This hosting is an affirmation of the efforts made to develop education in the Kingdom, and it also represents an opportunity to enhance communication and cooperation with other countries in the field of science, as the event promises rich educational and interactive opportunities for ambitious students and youth from various parts of Asia, which contributes to enriching their educational experience and encouraging them,” Al-Hazza further said, according to SPA.  Saudi Arabia is currently preparing to host the International Chemistry Olympiad set for next month, with 90 countries participating. The international event is also being organized by Mawhibah, together with the Ministry of Education, and King Saud University, with exclusive sponsorship from the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC).