2025 Speakers
Hanan Makki, Co-Founder, Qindeel Studio
Hanan Makki is an interdisciplinary artist, researcher, and educator whose work explores the transformative potential of video games. With a passion for integrating technology, art, cultural heritage, and psychology, she creates innovative scientific and cultural content that drives positive change.She currently leads the School of Gaming at the Saudi Digital Academy (MCIT) and has extensive experience in higher education, teaching game design, development, and extended reality (XR) at universities in the UK and Saudi Arabia. She is dedicated to bridging academia and the growing gaming industry in Saudi Arabia, inspiring the next generation of creators in the field.Her PhD focused on developing games for educational and therapeutic purposes, culminating in the creation of Sinbad and the Magic Cure, a game that exemplifies the intersection of research and practice. As a co-founder of Qindeel Studio, she has developed the award-winning VR experience Mirage: City Under the Sand, which was recognized as one of the Most Promising Games in Saudi Arabia at Leap 2023. A strong advocate for diversity in gaming, Dr. Makki is a Women in Games Ambassador and a frequent speaker on topics such as game development, serious games, and the future of interactive media.
