Members

Madar Program

Madar Program, in collaboration between the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, and  Sandooq Al Watan, is a dynamic platform designed to empower students by encouraging them to express their talents and creativity while placing National Identity and Tolerance at the heart of its mission.

The program offers 4 contests, thoughtfully designed to reflect and reinforce the core values of the program through creative and impactful projects. Each contest has its own categories, rules, and awards. In addition, each contest might offer an opportunity to further develop the awarded project, or to showcase it in Madar exhibition.

As part of our alignment with the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 set by the UAE, Madar Program will offer university students the opportunity to participate in this program using AI.

The program revolves around central pillars of National Identity, and Tolerance and Coexistence. The official core values of each of these pillars are listed below to help direct applicants to the themes that they may reflect in their projects. Each application can have multiple values from both national identity and tolerance weaved together into the project. 

  • Only students registered in a university inside the UAE are allowed to join.
  • Students without a valid Emirates ID are not allowed to participate.
  • All applications must comply with UAE national laws and be culturally appropriate.
  • Any applications not reflecting the core values as defined by the program, will be disqualified.
  • Students are allowed to participate in a maximum of two projects in the program, whether from the same contest or across multiple contests.
  • All submissions must be original and not previously entered in any other contest or publication. 
  • The use of AI tools is permitted provided that all ideas and creative direction remain original to the participants, any AI-generated content is clearly disclosed, and participants fully comply with the terms of the AI tools used.
  • A panel of judges will evaluate all entries, and their decisions cannot be appealed. 
Participate now

Submit your Project

Download

Download Program HandBook

Madar Short Films

Focuses on creation of short films that tell stories of tolerance, coexistence, harmony, diversity and inclusivity.

Madar Art

Creatively connects values of tolerance through engineering Sustainability projects.

Madar Games

Development Create software Games that resemble tolerance and related values, through an interactive and modern means of gaming.

Kalemat

In-active for 2026

Madar Program Contests

Description 

Students may submit original films or AI-assisted films, provided that all submissions remain aligned with UAE cultural and ethical standards. Films may be in Arabic or English and must include subtitles in the opposite language to ensure full inclusivity.

Objectives
  • Inspire students to create meaningful visual stories.
  • Promote the values of Madar Program, which highlight National Identity, Tolerance, and Coexistence.
  • Empower students to enhance their creativity and innovation skills in filmmaking, including the use of emerging digital and AI tools.
  • Strengthen teamwork, communication, and storytelling skills.
  • Provide national recognition and pathways for growth.
Categories
Categories
 
Awards

1 Winner Per Category

Original Short Film
Filmed on a physical device, editing can be done originally, or with assistance of AI.
10,000 AED
AI Video
Fully Generated through AI, can have human touch in editing
10,000 AED
Description 

Students may submit fully original games or AI-assisted creations using one of several approved platforms that cater to different skill levels.  The contest is structured to accommodate all experience levels—from beginners with no coding experience to advanced developers. 

Objectives
  • Inspire students to create meaningful interactive and playable digital experiences.
  • Promote the values of the Madar Program, highlighting UAE National Identity, Tolerance, and Coexistence through game storytelling.
  • Empower students to enhance creativity and innovation in game development, including the usage of AI and emerging digital tools.
  • Strengthen teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and storytelling skills through collaborative design.
  • Provide national recognition and pathways for selected projects to evolve into real-world digital games.
Categories
Categories
  
Awards

1 Winner Per Category

Beginner

(Minimal- No Code Required) 

Designed for students with little to no programming experience. Participants can create games using visual tools, drag-and-drop logic, or AI-assisted platforms.

Recommended Platforms: Scratch, Construct 3, G-Develop, Roblox Studio (basic level), Lovable.dev or similar AI-assisted builders
2,500 AED

Intermediate

(Some Coding Required) 

For students with some programming knowledge or experience using game engines. Participants can use visual scripting or beginner-level coding to build more complex gameplay.

 Recommended Platforms: [_Roblox Studio (Lua scripting), Construct 3 (advanced features), GDevelop (advanced logic), Unity (Visual Scripting / beginner C#), Godot Engine_]
5,000 AED

Advanced

(Experienced in the field)

For experienced students capable of developing fully functional games using professional tools and programming languages.
10,000 AED
Description 
Students may submit fully original artworks or AI-assisted creations using one of several approved tools or platforms suitable for different skill levels. The contest is designed to accommodate all experience levels—from beginners to advanced artists.
Objectives
  • •Inspire students to express their creativity through visual arts in all forms. •Promote the values of the Madar Program, highlighting UAE National Identity, Tolerance, and Coexistence through artworks. •Empower students to enhance their artistic and innovation skills, including the ethical application of digital and AI-based tools. •Encourage artistic diversity and inclusivity across all skill levels, from beginners to advanced artists. •Strengthen critical thinking and the ability to communicate cultural and social messages through art.
Categories
Categories
Awards
1 Winner Per Category

Traditional Artwork

Traditional artworks created using paint, pencil, ink, or similar manual techniques.
5,000 AED

Digital Art & Illustrations

 Creative works produced or enhanced using digital tools and software.
5,000 AED

Mixed Media

 Artworks combining multiple materials or techniques to create layered, multidimensional effects.
5,000 AED