Worlds first iOS Developer Academy to open

Apple has joined together with the University of Naples Federico II to open the first ever iOS Developer Academy at the University’s San Giovanni a Teduccio campus east of Naples.

The academy is FREE – no kidding, free – and will provide over 200 lucky students (400 in the second year) with the skills and training needed to develop iOS apps. The course begins in October 2016, runs over 9 months, and the curriculum is designed by Apple.

From the sauce, Luca Maestri, Apple’s CFO:

“We are thrilled to be working with Università di Napoli Federico II to launch the first iOS Developer Academy in Europe.”
Applicants are required to take an online test in Italian or English, with successful candidates moving to an interview stage. The university is also currently looking for teachers, and will be accepting applications through their website.

Back in January, Tim Cook commented on the project:

“Europe is home to some of the most creative developers in the world and we’re thrilled to be helping the next generation of entrepreneurs in Italy get the skills they need for success. The phenomenal success of the App Store is one of the driving forces behind the more than 1.4 million jobs Apple has created in Europe and presents unlimited opportunities for people of all ages and businesses of all sizes across the continent.”

Check it out here, and keep an eye out for the application process, which is coming soon.
And don’t worry! There are plans in the mix to extend the project to other countries in the future.