Apple is set to kick off the latest instalment of its highly anticipated Swift Student Challenge in February 2024, providing coding enthusiasts, app developers, and engineering students a unique chance to showcase their skills and collaborate with the Apple Team at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California.
The Swift Student Challenge, centred around Apple’s Swift programming language, encourages students to submit their app playgrounds, offering them an opportunity to work on projects using the language employed by Apple professionals. The challenge is open to students who sign up on the Apple Developer site, with submissions accepted starting February 2024.
This year’s competition will see a total of 350 winners, including a newly introduced category of 50 Distinguished Winners. These standout participants will have the privilege of working closely with the Apple team at the company’s headquarters, chosen based on the excellence of their submissions.
All winners, including the 50 Distinguished Winners, will receive a coveted one-year membership in the Apple Developer Program. This membership provides exclusive benefits, such as the ability to submit apps to the App Store and access to Apple’s comprehensive support system.
Susan Prescott, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations and Education and Enterprise Marketing, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting and recognizing aspiring student developers, stating, “At Apple, we believe that everyone can learn to code and build apps, and we’re proud to support and recognize aspiring student developers with the Swift Student Challenge each year.”
In addition to the challenge, Apple is extending its support for student developers by launching additional coding materials for students and educators. The company is also collaborating with community partners to provide specialized Swift programming resources and offering early information on the timeline for the Swift Student Challenge in 2024.
To aid beginners in their coding journey, Apple has updated its Swift Playgrounds app to version 4.4. This app serves as an invaluable tool for individuals exploring coding and app development on both iPad and Mac platforms. Swift Playgrounds 4.4 supports Swift 5.9 and includes SDKs for iPadOS 17 and macOS Sonoma, providing a seamless experience for users.
Roger Tadajewski, Executive Director of NC3, emphasized the Swift Student Challenge’s role as a stepping stone for young talent, stating, “The Swift Student Challenge is a stepping stone for young talent, and we’re building a pathway for their success.”
As Apple continues to champion coding education, the Swift Student Challenge remains a key initiative in nurturing the next generation of innovative developers. The company’s dedication to providing valuable opportunities for young coders underscores its commitment to fostering creativity and expertise in the field of app development.
(With input from agencies)