Apple this week announced an increased commitment to coding and education in Southeast Asia through the expansion of its App Development with Swift curriculum at partner schools in Singapore. The company also announced the opening of Indonesia's second Apple Developer Academy in Surabaya.
In Singapore, the Singapore University of Technology and Design and RMIT Online have each launched app development courses using Apple's curriculum for adult learners. Singapore's first autism-focused school, Pathlight School, will also offer a Swift Accelerator program that builds on the same program available to all schools.
“At Apple, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools we have to make the world a better place,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. “We're thrilled that students of all ages in Singapore will now be able to tap into the language of coding, gaining the skills they need to grow and succeed in the app economy and beyond.”
The Singapore University of Technology and Design designed a new app development course that targets working adults who are looking to learn new skills while balancing a full-time job. According to the president of SUTD, Professor Chong Tow Chong, "SUTD looks forward to continuing our close collaboration with Apple in helping our working adults to embrace digital transformation for enhanced employability."
In Indonesia, Apple marked the first graduation of students from its Developer Academy in Jakarta, which has expanded from 75 to 200 students. Later in 2019, Apple plans to open the second Academy in Indonesia, this one in Surabaya.
Apple is well-known for its interest in teaching coding to people of all ages and skill levels, launching the "Everyone Can Code" initiative back in 2016 with the goal of introducing coding curriculum to students around the world. This plan was spearheaded by Apple CEO Tim Cook, who always speaks passionately about the importance of teaching coding to kids at a young age.
