Apple is partnering with SkillsFuture Singapore, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), RMIT Online and Pathlight School to make coding more accessible to Singaporeans.
Announced by Ms Lisa Jackson — Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives — at the ArtScience Museum earlier today, these collaborations will leverage on Apple’s Swift programming language and cater to developers of all skill levels.
“At Apple, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools we have to make the world a better place.” Ms Jackson said. “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 event was also attended by Minister of Education Mr Ong Ye Kung, who stressed the importance of coding in an increasingly digital landscape.
“Digital literacy could well be considered critical third form of literacy for the future,” Mr Ong said. “Not everyone needs to be an IT expert, a cyber-security specialist or a professional coder, but digital technology is going to be ubiquitous and drive many things we do.”
Coding For Everyone
SUTD has worked with Apple and SkillsFuture Singapore to design two new short-term courses — a five-day session on Swift App Development Fundamentals, as well as a 3.5-day “Augmented Reality with ARKit” course.
Both courses will teach participants basic app design and development, and are targeted at working adults looking to learn new skills for the fast-growing software economy.
RMIT Online, on the other hand, will be bringing their “iOS App Development with Swift Course” to Singapore. Following a highly successful launch in Melbourne in late 2017, this fully online, self-paced programme features mentoring from global industry partners such as Tigerspike and Accenture.
These courses will be available through SUTD’s SkillsFuture series, as well as RMIT’s iOS App Development with Swift programme.
Pathlight School — Singapore’s first autism-focused school — will also be offering a Swift Accelerator programme to a select group of its Secondary School students.
Choosing participants based on aptitude and interest, this 144-hour program will be conducted by Apple Certified Trainers and help to deepen skills and competencies in coding.
Also taking the stage earlier today, Ms Denise Phua — president of the Autism Resource Centre and co-founder of Pathlight School — was thankful for the initiative.
“Pathlight’s work with Apple through the Swift Accelerator Programme signals the importance of training students with special needs to be future-ready for a rapidly changing society.” she said.
“It is even more exciting as persons on the autism spectrum have a natural interest in and aptitude for IT. I am heartened by this thoughtful and inclusive move by Apple.”
