Use your lens to tell the story of access, equity, and impact. Capture powerful moments that bring the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to life — and share your vision with the world. 

Let your photo speak — and be part of a global movement for open knowledge.

Eligibility

• Participants must be a current member of the UDST community, including students, staff, and faculty. 
• Must submit their photograph using @udst.edu.qa domain. 
• Participants must be 18 years old and above by the date of their submission.

Photograph Requirements

• Each participant is required to submit one unique photograph.
• Photos must clearly align with UN-SDG theme.
• Photo must be original, taken by the submitter.
• Using phones to take the photograph is acceptable, however, photographs must be high-quality and high-resolution. 
• Entries containing AI-generated images will be automatically disqualified.
• Photographs can be edited or colour-graded for enhancement, provided that the original image was taken by the submitter.
• Photographs can be taken with any device, including phones, digital cameras, or professional cameras. Remember that the Library lends high quality cameras and equipment.
• Photographs that include identifiable people should be submitted with a signed waiver to make this photograph available publicly. 
• Photographers shall comply with Qatar Law No. 7 of 2002 on the Protection of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights. Article 14.
• Photographers will follow all laws within Qatar that apply to taking photographs or people or public spaces. 
• The image will not contain any material that could be constitute or encourage conduct that would be considered a crime or violate any law. 

Judging Criteria

• Creativity (uniqueness and creativity).
• Technicalities (lighting, exposure, and focus).
• The judging panel will be made up of non-participating Library Services Directorate staff members.
• Photographs will be judged anonymously, similar to a blind peer-review process. 

Deadlines

• All entries must be submitted by October 31st, 2025.

Prize

• First place: 500 QAR gift certificate to Al Azadea Group stores.
• Second Place: 300 QAR gift certificate to Al Azadea Group stores.
• Third Place: 200 QAR gift certificate to Al Azadea Group stores. 

Winner Announcement in November

• The winning photographs will be announced by the internal committee of Library Services staff.
• The winner will have their photography shared in the Post, UDST's news source. 
• Featured on the Library's website.

Winner selection process

• The winning photographs will be selected by an internal committee of Library Services staff.

Shortlisted Photographs

• Shortlisted photographs may be made available for download on the UDST Library's Open Access Week event page. 
• The shortlisted photographs will be selected by an internal committee of Library Services staff.

Terms & Conditions

• In alignment with the values of Open Access Week, participants agree that their photographs can be made freely accessible to the world. 
• The photograph will follow Creative Commons (CC) license: CC BY. 

What are the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and why do they matter? Click on an SDG to learn more.