Apple announced the launch of it's first ever branch of the Apple Developer Academy in the Middle East in Riyadh for women developers there, taking a major step for the women of the country.
The Academy aims to support Saudi Arabia's efforts in the field of women's empowerment under the aegis of Vision 2030 and to assist programmers and developers by preparing them to work in the app economy to support them in building a professional life in this field.
With almost 70 per cent female students and women entrepreneurs enrolled to learn the basics of programming, marketing, project management, entrepreneurship and many more, by mentors and coaches.
Apple also stated that most female students aged between 20 and 35 years, have come from all over Saudi Arabia and abroad to join the academy. The statement added that they all are from different backgrounds such as information technology, finance, arts, in addition to law and medicine
The Apple Developer Academy is the largest university for women in the world and is supported by the Ministry of Investment.
It is also the first programming institution in the Middle East under a partnership between the Saudi Federation For Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), represented by Tuwaiq Academy and Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University — the largest university for women in the world.
Susan Prescott, Apple's vice president of enterprise and education marketing said.
"We are excited to welcome the first batch of women in the headquarters of the Apple Developer Academy at Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University,"
She noted, "The App Store provides opportunities for any woman with an idea to design and build amazing new apps that can change the world."
Ohoud Al-Nayal, director of the Apple Developer Academy, said,
"Our goal at Apple Development Academy is to become the region’s leading center for iOS developers.
“This is in addition to supporting female students to become active entrepreneurs in leading the digital transformation of Saudi Arabia."
Lina Al-Ismail, student at the academy, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity and gain experience provided by the Academy and describing her experience on the first day, she stated,
"It is a pleasure and an honor to be a part of the Apple Developer Academy family. Our first day at the academy was like a dream come true and I am looking forward to the coming days.”
News Source: The Saudi Gazette
