His name is Walid Abdullah Al Zahrani. He is still fifteen years old, living in a small and remote province, Al Makhwah in Al Bahah region. He does not have many tools or many opportunities, but he was able to pave his way in the face of difficulties and overcome long distances to reach Riyadh with his innovation, winning fifth place in the Kingdom in the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity (Ibd’a). He became part of the Kingdom’s delegation participating in the ITEX 2012 Exhibition for Young Innovators in Kuala Lumpur, where he won the gold medal in the field of transportation and communication, and first place in the exhibition. His project was recognized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as the best innovator at the school level in Asian countries, and he received two special awards for the best project from the Innovation Center in Hong Kong and the Innovation Center in Poland.

He was also able to participate in the scientific forum in Slovakia, and had the opportunity to attend a specialized training course in the field of robotics in Malaysia, after which he obtained a certificate from the Islamic University - Department of Engineering, and is now seeking to obtain a patent.

Success is self-will!

Success is a self-will that enables a person to overcome obstacles, no matter how big they are.

We can consider Walid one of the distinguished models that confirm that success is a self-will, with which a person can overcome obstacles no matter how big they are. He was not able to implement his experiments, and it was not easy for him to communicate with experts in a small city like the one he lives in, but his love for innovation and discovery since he was young, and his attention to the smallest details, helped him move forward with his ideas and dreams.

 The most influential factor for my innovations is people's suffering. I did not accept sad endings, nor did I accept loss and bereavement.

Walid says: However, the most influential factor for my innovations is people’s suffering. I did not accept sad endings, nor did I accept loss and bereavement, so I made it one of my goals to search for creative solutions to any problem I faced.

My parents...the first school of giving and creativity!

 After God, I give all the credit to my parents for being where I am now, a middle school student who won a gold medal in an international event!

Walid confirms: But I do not believe that success at an international level like this is the result of my thoughts and hard work alone, but my parents are to be credited after God for me being as I am now, a middle school student who receives a gold medal in an international forum!

The support, encouragement, desire, and joy in their eyes for any simple success I achieve was a great incentive and motivation for me to succeed. My mother used to fill me with happiness and optimism with her prayers, and my father used to take my hand to glory with his care and concern. They are the first school that taught me to give and work, and that my love for my community is not enough without being useful to it in some way!

Innovation by Walid Al Zahrani

Safe turns 

This innovation aims to contribute to reducing the rate of accidents, limiting the loss of life and money resulting from car accidents, and contributing to making turns safer.

Walid is still fifteen years old, but he already dreams of entering university and excelling there, becoming a distinguished engineer, providing the country with more effective innovations, and seeing his innovations implemented on the ground.