RMIT University unveils $1M learning space dedicated to Apple Foundation Program

RMIT University has launched a new educational space to support a new coding program, which it is offering to students in partnership with tech giant Apple.

The learning space, designed by architectural firm, Hinge, is located at the university’s City Campus. It features a sustainable building design and is equipped with the latest Apple technology. 

It is dedicated to the free four-week Apple Foundation Program, which teaches students to use the Swift and Xcode programming languages, and to design an original application for the Apple iOS ecosystem using Mac and iPhone.

The program offers a flexible learning pathway for underrepresented groups and allows undergraduates and adult learners from a variety of backgrounds to acquire skills that will boost their future careers.

Professor Ian Burnett, deputy vice chancellor of the STEM College and vice-president of RMIT University, said that the program addressed inequalities in tertiary education, while providing opportunities in the technology sector.

“The future of work requires more opportunities for lifelong learning, and this program offers reskilling and upskilling for under-represented groups in the technology sector,” Prof Burnett said.

The new learning space supports the expansion of the program, and its opening coincides with the first of four intakes this year.

Apple’s vice president of worldwide developer relations, enterprise and education marketing Susan Prescott said she was excited about the expansion of the program.

“We are thrilled that RMIT is deepening its support of the Apple Foundation Program through a new dedicated facility and expanding its iOS courses to prepare even more graduates for careers in app development,” she said.

Ms Prescott added that since the program’s inception, many RMIT students had acquired skills in design and app development, which opened new opportunities.

“Since our partnership began in 2017, hundreds of RMIT students from diverse backgrounds have refined their real-world problem-solving abilities and gained proficiency in design and app development using Swift, igniting creativity and unlocking new pathways to jobs,” she said.

Mason Cao, a graduate of the Apple Foundation Program at RMIT, is one such student.

“Getting to immerse myself in such a dynamic and creative environment has increased my confidence and empowered me to take on even bigger challenges like pursuing app development full-time,” he said.

“I’ve always thought of app development as something incredibly challenging, but it turned out to be much easier with help from mentors in the Apple Foundation Program.”