Apple launches second developer academy to aid Indonesia's digital push

Apple has launched the Apple Developer Academy at Ciputra University at Surabaya, making it the second development in Tangerang, Banten. In a press release, ministry of industry (Plt. Kemenperin) secretary-general Achmad Sigit Dwiwahjono said the city was chosen because it has the potential to grow the nation's digital economy.According to Sigit, the move is in line with the Making Indonesia 4.0 roadmap, which is part of the government's efforts to drive domestic research and development activities in the industry. The academy will also help to improve the quality of Indonesia's digital talent.Apple Developer Academy is expected to be a incubator to equip students with the skills and ideas to create applications. Innovative ideas will be realised and implemented in the form of iOS applications. At its inaugural batch, the Apple Developer Academy in Surabaya received 100 students who had passed its test and interview. Meanwhile, the first batch if 165 graduates from Apple Developer Academy at Binus University have gotten 182 total job offers. Some of them are working at Tokopedia, LinkAja, Schlumberger, Square, Dana, BCA, and CIMB Commerce.Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president for environment, public policy and social initiatives, said the new academy will be a centre for technology, creativity and entrepreneurship. "This collaboration will create many opportunities for developers and promote Indonesia's rapidly growing app economy," she said.Indonesia is the first country in Asia to see the establishment of Apple Developer Academy, and the third in the world after Brazil and Italy.