Students learn app development fundamentals with Apple

Students learn app development fundamentals with Apple

The first group of participants have completed the Apple Foundation Program at RMIT, one of only two Australian institutions to offer the initiative which introduces the foundations of Swift and app development.

Over a four-week program held at RMIT’s city campus, participants worked on Mac and iPhone to design and prototype an original app using Xcode, and Apple’s programming language, Swift. 

The program is open to learners from a range of backgrounds, from high school students through to those pursuing a career in the sector, and applicants do not require prior coding knowledge.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor STEM, Professor Ian Burnett, said it was an exciting initiative to address the digital skills gap in Australia and increase diversity in the tech sector. 

“We want to empower learners from all walks of life to embrace this free program and build on their passions and creativity with technology,” he said.

“We know that innovation comes from all angles, and we are confident that our learners will build a future-fit skill set and be well-equipped to make a positive impact on the world.”

13 April 2023

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Students completed the four-week program at RMIT's City Campus.

Learning skills for the next century 

RMIT student and program participant Pray Manuel said the opportunity to learn from Apple drew him to the program.

“I did this course to make the most of my time at university. In the 21st century, with the rise of technology, I feel like this course can teach me some good skills to have for the future.”

Fellow program participant Vineet Prabhakar said while an interest in app development and technology made him sign up, at the end of four weeks he has also strengthened his skills in critical thinking and customer-focused product development.

“The primary thing I’ve learned is how to refine my thoughts and to narrow down my ideas to only what’s necessary. Also, to understand what the user needs and how can we simplify an app for the user,” he said.

RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor STEM College and Vice-President, Professor Ian Burnett.

Fostering the skills of the next generation of developers, entrepreneurs, and designers 

Australia is home to a robust app industry with many of the most popular apps today built using Swift.

Apple Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations and Enterprise, and Education Marketing, Susan Prescott, said at Apple coding is seen as an essential skill that empowers students to make a real impact in their communities

“We’re proud to see everything students are accomplishing during our first program, and we can’t wait to see how their innovations are realised.”

The Apple Foundation Program will be ongoing at RMIT, as well as the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and is free to the public. 

Read more about the first Australian students to complete the program on the Apple Newsroom and explore the Apple Foundation Program at RMIT.

 

Story: Finn Devlin

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13 April 2023

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