Apple is expanding its commitment to fostering Indonesia’s thriving iOS app economy by opening a new Apple Developer Academy in Bali. This marks the fourth academy in the country, following successful launches in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Batam.

Bali welcomes Indonesia’s fourth Apple Developer Academy

Since the program’s inception in 2018, over 2,000 aspiring developers have graduated and found employment in diverse sectors like education, e-commerce, and sustainability.

“We’ve seen the power of code to change the world,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “This new academy is an investment in Indonesia’s creative minds and their potential to make a difference.”

Open to All, Empowering All

The academy’s intensive nine-month program equips students with a comprehensive skillset, encompassing coding fundamentals, design, marketing, and project management. A unique aspect of the Bali campus is its focus on global collaboration. Applications are welcomed from anywhere in the world, regardless of educational background or coding experience.

The diverse student body brings a wealth of perspectives to the program. Mary Santoso, a 2022 graduate, exemplifies this. Inspired by her family members with dyslexia, she created WonderJack, an iPad game designed to promote learning for children with neurodiversities.

“The academy helped me transform my passion for helping children into a reality,” says Santoso. “There, I found a supportive network and the tools to build WonderJack, an app that unlocks potential in all learners.”

Building Apps that Make a Difference

The curriculum emphasises Challenge Based Learning, encouraging students to tackle real-world issues and design inclusive solutions. Alumni Graciela Gabrielle, Jessi Febria, and Yafonia Hutabarat exemplify this approach. They co-founded PetaNetra, an app that utilises augmented reality to assist visually impaired users with navigating indoor spaces.

“The academy connected me with amazing teammates who shared my vision,” says Gabrielle, PetaNetra’s CEO. “PetaNetra is a gift to my parents and the millions of visually impaired people in Indonesia.”

A Launchpad for Success

Southeast Asia boasts hundreds of thousands of developers who have created over 90,000 apps for the App Store. Academy graduates are not only launching their own startups but also contributing their skills to established companies throughout the region.

Denis Wibisono and Rais Mohamad Najib, now leading the iOS development team for Indonesia’s largest bank, Bank Mandiri, credit the academy for their success. “The academy fueled my passion for development and equipped me with the critical thinking skills necessary for a tech career,” says Wibisono.

Graduates also gain access to ongoing support through Apple’s educational programs, including the Apple Developer Center and Entrepreneur Camp.

The Apple Developer Academy programme, which began in Brazil, has grown to include locations worldwide, empowering the next generation of app creators. The addition of the Bali academy strengthens Apple’s commitment to nurturing Indonesia’s app development potential.

Source: Apple Newsroom