This post is brought to you by AEON Bank.
AEON Bank, Malaysia’s first Islamic digital bank, is celebrating Merdeka and Malaysia Day 2025 with a fresh twist: An AI Digital Art Competition designed to spark creativity among primary and secondary school students. Running until the 23rd of September 2025, the online competition carries the theme “My Digital Banking Aspiration, This Merdeka and Beyond”. It’s open to students aged 7 to 17 years old, with five categories:
- Neko Comel: 7–9 years old
- Neko Kecil: 10–12 years old
- Neko Juara: 13–15 years old
- Neko Wira: 16–17 years old
- Neko Kucing: Special category for children of AEON Bank employees
Participation is free, and students only need a MyKad/MyKid to take part. The first 300 valid entries will receive participation gifts, while a total of 68 winners will be selected, symbolic of Malaysia’s 68th year of independence. The winning digital artworks will be showcased during the prize-giving ceremony in October at the National Art Gallery.
How to submit your entry
To enter, students must generate their own AI artwork based on the theme using tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Genie, or Canva, or any other generative AI App. They’ll then submit the artwork, along with the original prompt and screenshot, via AEON Bank’s website. Submissions will be judged 50% on theme relevance and 50% on creativity and originality.
Collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the National Art Gallery
The initiative is a collaboration with the Ministry of Education under the Sports, Co-curricular and Arts Division and the National Art Gallery, aiming to push students towards STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) while bridging art with emerging digital tools that will be beneficial life skills for the students.
#MerdekaUntuk campaign
Alongside the art competition, AEON Bank has also rolled out a #MerdekaUntuk campaign, which redefines independence as not just freedom from something but also freedom for something, like chasing dreams, nurturing growth, or sharing blessings. The bank is also offering a range of promotions, including:
- 4% cashback for groceries with AEON Bank Debit Card-i
- 3% p.a. profit rate for all Savings Pots
- RM9 reward for each successful referral
- Exclusive sign-up rewards worth over RM25
More details and participation links are available via AEON Bank’s website.
