Developing MENA’s next generation of stars
If you’re a student in the fields of creative marketing and advertising from MENA, this is your space to take the next best step from academia to professional life.
Student Initiatives - Apply Now
Submit your work against the best future talent in MENA. Create your submission against a brief set by our partners and submit your work in the Student Competitions.
Participate with a selected group of students in a two-day curated programme. Apply to participate in the Creative Student Hackathon. Get access to learning and networking with top leaders in MENA and compete against your peers in a live hackathon.
Applications are open and the deadline to apply is:
Student Comp: Deadline extended to 29 Jan
Creative Student Hackathon: Applications are officially closed
All winners are honored on-stage at the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony - MENA’s premier platform for creative excellence.
For full-time university students (18–25) in creative, marketing, advertising, or communications in MENA.
Gain face-time
WITH BRAND AND CREATIVE LEADERS
Build your network
WITH FUTURE PEERS, COLLEAGUES AND BOSSES TODAY
Take your chance to shine
AT THE DUBAI LYNX AWARDS CEREMONY
Student Integrated Competition
Craft a multi-channel marketing campaign presentation board and a 300-word description of your campaign plan in response to a live industry brief, set by Balance The Mix.
Discover the 2026 Jury, check out the detailed brief, eligibility and submit your work by 29 January.
Student Film Competition
Produce a compelling 30–60 second film responding to an industry brief and demonstrate your storytelling and creative execution skills. The brief is set by Balance The Mix and requires the film to urge the audience to listen, support and celebrate women creators in music.
Discover the 2026 Jury, check out the detailed brief, eligibility and submit your work by 29 January.
In partnership with Dubai Media City
Creative Student Hackathon
Participate in a curated in-person two-day programme. Day 1 begins with keynotes, panels and workshops from senior leaders in MENA. Participants are then given a brief set by a real brand and work in teams in a 24-hour real-time competition. Present your work live to a panel of senior creatives and marketers who will judge your work live.
20–21 January 2026 at DKP Conference Centre, Dubai
Applications to the Creative Student Hackathon are closed. To get involved early for the next edition, reach out to bonyr@dubailynx.com.
Who can enter
These competitions are open to full-time university students aged 18–25 based in the MENA region, studying creative, marketing, advertising, media, or communication disciplines.
The countries eligible to enter include:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Kenya, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, UAE, West Bank & Gaza, Western Sahara, Yemen.
Have questions? Contact us at bonyr@dubailynx.com
Winning the Student competition award was truly gratifying, bolstering my confidence and reinforcing my passion for marketing.
Wadima Aldhaheri
Integrated Competition 2023 Winner & Student
Zayed University