Omar Badrig

Distinct is an extraordinary 2.5-year journey, cultivating capabilities and empowering ambitious, high-performing school students to secure coveted places at top-tier universities. This experience is a crucible of growth, pushing us to achieve our academic and personal best. The program aims to provide rigorous training, mentorship, and exposure to opportunities that can expand our horizons.

I am part of the Excellence Program (“Tamayuz” in Arabic), a highly-selective yearlong self-development and college prep program. The program is a partnership between Mawhiba (the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity) and an American coaching and leadership development firm (Ivy Strategy Advisor). Students are selected from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and all students are offered a full college scholarship by the scholarship partners

In my role as Deputy Head of Admins, I supervised the entire administrative team supporting the conference. I trained new admins, ensured efficient documentation and delegate support, and maintained organization during debate sessions. This experience improved my ability to lead teams, delegate tasks, and handle fast-moving environments—skills that translate directly into academic and professional settings.

As the Deputy Head of Organization for JKSMUN XIV, I oversaw the full operational planning of the conference, coordinating logistics, scheduling, committee arrangements, and venue setup. I worked closely with executive board members and school leadership to ensure a smooth and professional conference experience for over 500 participants. This role strengthened my leadership, communication, and project management skills, and taught me how to manage large teams and complex events under time pressure.

I have completed over 200 hours of community service with the SAKHF Foundation, participating in initiatives that support the local community and serve pilgrims in Makkah. My work includes assisting with the “Masjid Monday” initiative to engage children in prayer, distributing water to individuals in need, and supporting pilgrims during Hajj through crowd guidance and elderly assistance. These experiences have built my sense of responsibility, empathy, and commitment to service while strengthening my communication skills and ability to work in diverse, high-pressure environments.

During my internship at Tecno Paints, I worked across several departments, including research and development, quality control, and production. I gained hands-on exposure to engineering principles in materials science, chemical processes, and lab testing. I assisted in evaluating viscosity, color stability, and product durability, and observed how industrial machinery, automation, and safety protocols operate within a manufacturing environment. This experience deepened my interest in engineering, showing me how chemistry, physics, and problem-solving come together to create real-world products.

Through the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, I conducted a university-level research project titled “What strategies can reduce the energy consumption of AI models while preserving their performance?”. Working under the guidance of a research mentor, I explored sustainable AI, algorithmic efficiency, and hardware optimization strategies. The experience improved my academic writing, data analysis, and problem-solving capabilities while deepening my interest in engineering, artificial intelligence, and energy-efficient technologies.

I have played competitively for Al Ahli Club across the U14, U16, and U18 categories from 2022 to 2025, earning several podium finishes including a 1st Place U19 Championship, multiple 2nd Place national results, and a 3rd Place finish in my first season. My long-term experience as an athlete has taught me discipline, teamwork, resilience, and how to perform under pressure. Balancing high-level competition with my academic workload—especially now during the IB Diploma—has strengthened my mental endurance and time-management skills, values I consistently carry into both my studies and future career ambitions.

I worked as a full-time game operator intern for two weeks, completing eight-hour shifts that involved managing daily operations, supporting customers, and maintaining a smooth workflow within a fast-paced entertainment environment. This experience strengthened my adaptability, communication skills, and ability to troubleshoot under pressure. It also enhanced my customer service and teamwork skills, which continue to help me in leadership, academic, and community roles.

Higher Level: Mathematics AA, Physics, Business Management, Arabic B Standard Level: Chemistry, English A Language & Literature