Every year, Apple organizes a programming competition for student developers to showcase their creativity and coding capabilities. Students who win the competition are rewarded with a year’s membership in the Apple Developer Program, a complimentary voucher to take a certification exam, and a few additional perks.
Like clockwork, Apple had already hinted about the upcoming (2024) Swift Student Challenge months in advance to give students a heads-up to begin their preparation. And now, it’s begun accepting submissions for this year’s challenge. However, what’s exciting this time around is a new “distinguished winners” category.
Apple says that out of the 350 winners chosen this year, it will recognize 50 as distinguished winners for their outstanding submissions. These winners will receive the same standard rewards as other winners, in addition to a three-day trip to Apple Park in Cupertino, where they can meet other student developers, engage with Apple experts and engineers, and participate in other activities or events. All the lodging and travel expenses will be taken care of by Apple.
As for all other challenge winners, Apple will reward them with the same prizes and perks as previous years. This includes a one-year membership in the Apple Developer Program, a complimentary voucher to take an App Development with Swift certification exam, and a special gift from Apple.
Apple will be accepting entries for the 2024 Swift Student Challenge up until February 25, 2024. Those eligible and interested can apply on the Apple Developer website.
Apple generated a total of US$23.12 billion just in services revenue in the first quarter of 2024. Of course, it includes services beyond App Store revenues, like Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Care, Apple Pay, and others. As of January 2023, Apple had paid a total of over US$ 320 billion to iOS app developers selling goods and services through the App Store.
Related Read: Five Indian Apps That Hit the Global Jackpot, through Apple App Accelerator
It’s impressive that Apple has a strategic plan to tap young talent with fresh ideas through the Swift Student Challenge, which continues to expand base and reach more and more student developers across the world.
For eligibility criteria and other challenge-related information, refer to the Swift Student Challenge page.
