Asmaa Mohammad AlRawajfeh advances through IAAC and becomes ambassador in Jordan

Reported by Julia Berens · October 1, 2026 · 2 min read

Asmaa Mohammad AlRawajfeh of Jordan built her science path from curiosity and a wish to understand the world beyond textbooks. That interest carried her into competitions and Olympiads in astronomy, mathematics, physics and chemistry, including international events, and it eventually led her to the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition, known as IAAC.

She advanced through multiple stages of IAAC and later became an IAAC Astronomy and Space Ambassador in Jordan. Through her ambassador activities and contributions, she earned 30 points, a record of steady involvement rather than a single moment of success.

Learning through competition

Her own account shows how her understanding of achievement changed over time. She once saw success mainly as a high rank, a medal or being the best. Through each competition and every new challenge, she came to value something broader. Success could also mean having the courage to participate, challenge herself, learn from mistakes and keep going.

That shift matters because it places effort at the centre of her story. Instead of waiting for a perfect result, she kept entering demanding spaces where learning was part of the outcome.

Asmaa says she is still continuing her learning journey today because science never stops and neither should curiosity. She sees each experience as a doorway to a new question, a new challenge and another chance to learn something more.

Her perspective is also practical. She does not frame participation as a small step that counts for nothing. She treats it as a meaningful act in itself, especially when it means stepping outside a comfort zone and trying anyway.

An ambassador’s message

In her message to other students, Asmaa encourages them not to wait until they feel good enough to begin. She wants them to understand that effort has value even before medals or rankings appear.

Asmaa’s route through IAAC and into ambassador work shows how a student can grow through persistence, curiosity and repeated participation. She did not begin with certainty about where the path would lead, but she kept moving forward and kept learning.