Apple to build first Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Posted:
in General Discussion
Apple has picked Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the location for its first Apple Developer Academy in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Credit: U.S. Department of State
Credit: U.S. Department of State


According to the Saudi Gazette, the Apple Developer Academy will be dedicated to providing tools and training for aspiring female programmers, developers, and designer so that they can establish startups and create jobs in iOS app development.

Additionally, the move could also bolster support of women's empowerment and other social reforms under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 project.

The Apple academy will partner with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP) via the Tuwaiq Academy and Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University.

"This qualitative move is an investment in the digital minds and skills of our girls in their journey of building the innovative future of the nation and the transformation towards an economy based on innovation and digital transformation," said Abdullah Al-Swaha, the Saudi Arabia's minister of Communications and Information Technology.

Faisal Al-Khamisi, chair of the Board of Directors for SAFCSP and the Tuwaiq Academy, also thanked Apple for choosing Riyadh.

"In our partnership with Apple, we will work together and strive to create an economic ecosystem for business to instill skills that enhance innovation and technology, and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our local community and the societies of the world that will undoubtedly benefit from the technical cadres that will receive education and training at the Apple Academy," he added.

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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 12
    22july201322july2013 Posts: 3,571member
    So, on the one hand, Tim Cook protests the voting laws in some US states by saying:
    “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy. American history is the story of expanding the right to vote to all citizens, and Black people, in particular, have had to march, struggle and even give their lives for more than a century to defend that right,”

    Yet on the other hand he doesn't protest the "voting laws" in Saudi Arabia but instead opens up businesses there where gay people get "fines, public whipping, beatings, vigilante attacks, chemical castrations, prison time up to life, death penalty and torture." (wikipedia)

    Let this post prove that I'm not always on Apple's side. I'm on the side of human rights, which is an area where Apple does't shine very much.

  • Reply 2 of 12
    JWSCJWSC Posts: 1,203member
    So, on the one hand, Tim Cook protests the voting laws in some US states by saying:
    “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy. American history is the story of expanding the right to vote to all citizens, and Black people, in particular, have had to march, struggle and even give their lives for more than a century to defend that right,”

    Yet on the other hand he doesn't protest the "voting laws" in Saudi Arabia but instead opens up businesses there where gay people get "fines, public whipping, beatings, vigilante attacks, chemical castrations, prison time up to life, death penalty and torture." (wikipedia)

    Let this post prove that I'm not always on Apple's side. I'm on the side of human rights, which is an area where Apple does't shine very much.

    Well, I suppose Apple could resolutely refuse to engage in any form of business relationship with the Kingdom (including product sales), thereby taking a notionally principled yet ineffectual stance.

    Or Apple could actively promote the skills of young Saudi women and enable them to gain some semblance of financial independence from their male dominated households.  Seems like a win to me.

    I would hope and expect physical security to be taken very seriously at venue entrances.
    roundaboutnowbadmonk
  • Reply 3 of 12
    BeatsBeats Posts: 3,073member
    More girl clubs. Was hoping this was open to boys, girls, men and women.

    So, on the one hand, Tim Cook protests the voting laws in some US states by saying:
    “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy. American history is the story of expanding the right to vote to all citizens, and Black people, in particular, have had to march, struggle and even give their lives for more than a century to defend that right,”

    Yet on the other hand he doesn't protest the "voting laws" in Saudi Arabia but instead opens up businesses there where gay people get "fines, public whipping, beatings, vigilante attacks, chemical castrations, prison time up to life, death penalty and torture." (wikipedia)

    Let this post prove that I'm not always on Apple's side. I'm on the side of human rights, which is an area where Apple does't shine very much.


    Even I disagree with the blatant sexism but at least it’s something good for someone. Apple isn’t obligated to do anything at all since it isn’t a charity.
  • Reply 4 of 12
    gradlygradly Posts: 15member
    So, on the one hand, Tim Cook protests the voting laws in some US states by saying:
    “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy. American history is the story of expanding the right to vote to all citizens, and Black people, in particular, have had to march, struggle and even give their lives for more than a century to defend that right,”

    Yet on the other hand he doesn't protest the "voting laws" in Saudi Arabia but instead opens up businesses there where gay people get "fines, public whipping, beatings, vigilante attacks, chemical castrations, prison time up to life, death penalty and torture." (wikipedia)

    Let this post prove that I'm not always on Apple's side. I'm on the side of human rights, which is an area where Apple does't shine very much.


    Apple is a US company, not an international police. Do you want Samsung or Huawei for example talk about human rights in the USA?
  • Reply 5 of 12
    xbitxbit Posts: 390member
    gradly said:

    Do you want Samsung or Huawei for example talk about human rights in the USA?
    Yes please!
  • Reply 6 of 12
    So, on the one hand, Tim Cook protests the voting laws in some US states by saying:
    “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy. American history is the story of expanding the right to vote to all citizens, and Black people, in particular, have had to march, struggle and even give their lives for more than a century to defend that right,”

    Yet on the other hand he doesn't protest the "voting laws" in Saudi Arabia but instead opens up businesses there where gay people get "fines, public whipping, beatings, vigilante attacks, chemical castrations, prison time up to life, death penalty and torture." (wikipedia)

    Let this post prove that I'm not always on Apple's side. I'm on the side of human rights, which is an area where Apple does't shine very much.

    He does business in the U.S. where you can still legally beat gay people to death in most states using the Gay Panic defense. Given you are a staunch human rights supporter and LGBTQ+ advocate I assume you think Apple shouldn't be doing business here any more than it should in Saudi Arabia?
    edited July 2021
  • Reply 7 of 12
    Beats said:
    More girl clubs. Was hoping this was open to boys, girls, men and women.

    So, on the one hand, Tim Cook protests the voting laws in some US states by saying:
    “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy. American history is the story of expanding the right to vote to all citizens, and Black people, in particular, have had to march, struggle and even give their lives for more than a century to defend that right,”

    Yet on the other hand he doesn't protest the "voting laws" in Saudi Arabia but instead opens up businesses there where gay people get "fines, public whipping, beatings, vigilante attacks, chemical castrations, prison time up to life, death penalty and torture." (wikipedia)

    Let this post prove that I'm not always on Apple's side. I'm on the side of human rights, which is an area where Apple does't shine very much.


    Even I disagree with the blatant sexism but at least it’s something good for someone. Apple isn’t obligated to do anything at all since it isn’t a charity.
    Saudi Arabia is one of the most gender segregated counties there is. Women are lot allowed contact with men that are not part of their family without a male family member present. So, banks have separate branches for men and women. Public transport is segregated. Some businesses will have “family hours” where women are allowed to go with a male relative escorting them. Many places are simply off limits to women wether they have an escort or not. Women can’t drive unless their father or husband swears in a court of law that they are competent to do so. When opening something like this Apple is more or less in a position where they have to decide if they are going to serve men or women and they chose the group with less opportunity in life and you want it bemoan the sexism in that? I guess I shouldn't be surprised given you just referred to grown women as "girls" which is, you know, blatant sexism. Anyone I'm are sure those poor Saudi males are happy someone is looking out for them as they struggle with this horrible oppression. 
    edited July 2021
  • Reply 8 of 12
    ryan_06ryan_06 Posts: 4member
    Beats said:
    More girl clubs. Was hoping this was open to boys, girls, men and women.

    So, on the one hand, Tim Cook protests the voting laws in some US states by saying:
    “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy. American history is the story of expanding the right to vote to all citizens, and Black people, in particular, have had to march, struggle and even give their lives for more than a century to defend that right,”

    Yet on the other hand he doesn't protest the "voting laws" in Saudi Arabia but instead opens up businesses there where gay people get "fines, public whipping, beatings, vigilante attacks, chemical castrations, prison time up to life, death penalty and torture." (wikipedia)

    Let this post prove that I'm not always on Apple's side. I'm on the side of human rights, which is an area where Apple does't shine very much.


    Even I disagree with the blatant sexism but at least it’s something good for someone. Apple isn’t obligated to do anything at all since it isn’t a charity.
    Saudi Arabia is one of the most gender segregated counties there is. Women are lot allowed contact with men that are not part of their family without a male family member present. So, banks have separate branches for men and women. Public transport is segregated. Some businesses will have “family hours” where women are allowed to go with a male relative escorting them. Many places are simply off limits to women wether they have an escort or not. Women can’t drive unless their father or husband swears in a court of law that they are competent to do so. When opening something like this Apple is more or less in a position where they have to decide if they are going to serve men or women and they chose the group with less opportunity in life and you want it bemoan the sexism in that? I guess I shouldn't be surprised given you just referred to grown women as "girls" which is, you know, blatant sexism. Anyone I'm are sure those poor Saudi males are happy someone is looking out for them as they struggle with this horrible oppression. 
    Lmao 
    this is not true 
    women don’t need a male from her family to do any thing   She could do anything on her own 
    banks doesn’t have separate branches for men and women.   Business doesn’t have “family hours” and women could drive normally without her father or husband go to court.    There are no places that are “off limits” to women and women could talk to men without having another man from her family 
    Your information about Saudi Arabia is wrong 
  • Reply 8 of 12
    ryan_06ryan_06 Posts: 4member
    Beats said:
    More girl clubs. Was hoping this was open to boys, girls, men and women.

    So, on the one hand, Tim Cook protests the voting laws in some US states by saying:
    “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy. American history is the story of expanding the right to vote to all citizens, and Black people, in particular, have had to march, struggle and even give their lives for more than a century to defend that right,”

    Yet on the other hand he doesn't protest the "voting laws" in Saudi Arabia but instead opens up businesses there where gay people get "fines, public whipping, beatings, vigilante attacks, chemical castrations, prison time up to life, death penalty and torture." (wikipedia)

    Let this post prove that I'm not always on Apple's side. I'm on the side of human rights, which is an area where Apple does't shine very much.


    Even I disagree with the blatant sexism but at least it’s something good for someone. Apple isn’t obligated to do anything at all since it isn’t a charity.
    Saudi Arabia is one of the most gender segregated counties there is. Women are lot allowed contact with men that are not part of their family without a male family member present. So, banks have separate branches for men and women. Public transport is segregated. Some businesses will have “family hours” where women are allowed to go with a male relative escorting them. Many places are simply off limits to women wether they have an escort or not. Women can’t drive unless their father or husband swears in a court of law that they are competent to do so. When opening something like this Apple is more or less in a position where they have to decide if they are going to serve men or women and they chose the group with less opportunity in life and you want it bemoan the sexism in that? I guess I shouldn't be surprised given you just referred to grown women as "girls" which is, you know, blatant sexism. Anyone I'm are sure those poor Saudi males are happy someone is looking out for them as they struggle with this horrible oppression. 
    That isn’t true 
  • Reply 10 of 12
    ryan_06 said:
    Beats said:
    More girl clubs. Was hoping this was open to boys, girls, men and women.

    So, on the one hand, Tim Cook protests the voting laws in some US states by saying:
    “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy. American history is the story of expanding the right to vote to all citizens, and Black people, in particular, have had to march, struggle and even give their lives for more than a century to defend that right,”

    Yet on the other hand he doesn't protest the "voting laws" in Saudi Arabia but instead opens up businesses there where gay people get "fines, public whipping, beatings, vigilante attacks, chemical castrations, prison time up to life, death penalty and torture." (wikipedia)

    Let this post prove that I'm not always on Apple's side. I'm on the side of human rights, which is an area where Apple does't shine very much.


    Even I disagree with the blatant sexism but at least it’s something good for someone. Apple isn’t obligated to do anything at all since it isn’t a charity.
    Saudi Arabia is one of the most gender segregated counties there is. Women are lot allowed contact with men that are not part of their family without a male family member present. So, banks have separate branches for men and women. Public transport is segregated. Some businesses will have “family hours” where women are allowed to go with a male relative escorting them. Many places are simply off limits to women wether they have an escort or not. Women can’t drive unless their father or husband swears in a court of law that they are competent to do so. When opening something like this Apple is more or less in a position where they have to decide if they are going to serve men or women and they chose the group with less opportunity in life and you want it bemoan the sexism in that? I guess I shouldn't be surprised given you just referred to grown women as "girls" which is, you know, blatant sexism. Anyone I'm are sure those poor Saudi males are happy someone is looking out for them as they struggle with this horrible oppression. 
    Lmao 
    this is not true 
    women don’t need a male from her family to do any thing   She could do anything on her own 
    banks doesn’t have separate branches for men and women.   Business doesn’t have “family hours” and women could drive normally without her father or husband go to court.    There are no places that are “off limits” to women and women could talk to men without having another man from her family 
    Your information about Saudi Arabia is wrong 
    The internet begs to differ. 

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_segregation_in_Saudi_Arabia

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_rights_in_Saudi_Arabia
    edited July 2021
  • Reply 11 of 12
    ryan_06ryan_06 Posts: 4member
    ryan_06 said:
    Beats said:
    More girl clubs. Was hoping this was open to boys, girls, men and women.

    So, on the one hand, Tim Cook protests the voting laws in some US states by saying:
    “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy. American history is the story of expanding the right to vote to all citizens, and Black people, in particular, have had to march, struggle and even give their lives for more than a century to defend that right,”

    Yet on the other hand he doesn't protest the "voting laws" in Saudi Arabia but instead opens up businesses there where gay people get "fines, public whipping, beatings, vigilante attacks, chemical castrations, prison time up to life, death penalty and torture." (wikipedia)

    Let this post prove that I'm not always on Apple's side. I'm on the side of human rights, which is an area where Apple does't shine very much.


    Even I disagree with the blatant sexism but at least it’s something good for someone. Apple isn’t obligated to do anything at all since it isn’t a charity.
    Saudi Arabia is one of the most gender segregated counties there is. Women are lot allowed contact with men that are not part of their family without a male family member present. So, banks have separate branches for men and women. Public transport is segregated. Some businesses will have “family hours” where women are allowed to go with a male relative escorting them. Many places are simply off limits to women wether they have an escort or not. Women can’t drive unless their father or husband swears in a court of law that they are competent to do so. When opening something like this Apple is more or less in a position where they have to decide if they are going to serve men or women and they chose the group with less opportunity in life and you want it bemoan the sexism in that? I guess I shouldn't be surprised given you just referred to grown women as "girls" which is, you know, blatant sexism. Anyone I'm are sure those poor Saudi males are happy someone is looking out for them as they struggle with this horrible oppression. 
    Lmao 
    this is not true 
    women don’t need a male from her family to do any thing   She could do anything on her own 
    banks doesn’t have separate branches for men and women.   Business doesn’t have “family hours” and women could drive normally without her father or husband go to court.    There are no places that are “off limits” to women and women could talk to men without having another man from her family 
    Your information about Saudi Arabia is wrong 
    The internet begs to differ. 

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_segregation_in_Saudi_Arabia

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_rights_in_Saudi_Arabia
    This was true before.  But now after the new prince came he changed everything
    Saudi Arabia has changed so much  and everything on the internet is either not true or old 
  • Reply 12 of 12
    ryan_06ryan_06 Posts: 4member
    ryan_06 said:
    Beats said:
    More girl clubs. Was hoping this was open to boys, girls, men and women.

    So, on the one hand, Tim Cook protests the voting laws in some US states by saying:
    “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy. American history is the story of expanding the right to vote to all citizens, and Black people, in particular, have had to march, struggle and even give their lives for more than a century to defend that right,”

    Yet on the other hand he doesn't protest the "voting laws" in Saudi Arabia but instead opens up businesses there where gay people get "fines, public whipping, beatings, vigilante attacks, chemical castrations, prison time up to life, death penalty and torture." (wikipedia)

    Let this post prove that I'm not always on Apple's side. I'm on the side of human rights, which is an area where Apple does't shine very much.


    Even I disagree with the blatant sexism but at least it’s something good for someone. Apple isn’t obligated to do anything at all since it isn’t a charity.
    Saudi Arabia is one of the most gender segregated counties there is. Women are lot allowed contact with men that are not part of their family without a male family member present. So, banks have separate branches for men and women. Public transport is segregated. Some businesses will have “family hours” where women are allowed to go with a male relative escorting them. Many places are simply off limits to women wether they have an escort or not. Women can’t drive unless their father or husband swears in a court of law that they are competent to do so. When opening something like this Apple is more or less in a position where they have to decide if they are going to serve men or women and they chose the group with less opportunity in life and you want it bemoan the sexism in that? I guess I shouldn't be surprised given you just referred to grown women as "girls" which is, you know, blatant sexism. Anyone I'm are sure those poor Saudi males are happy someone is looking out for them as they struggle with this horrible oppression. 
    Lmao 
    this is not true 
    women don’t need a male from her family to do any thing   She could do anything on her own 
    banks doesn’t have separate branches for men and women.   Business doesn’t have “family hours” and women could drive normally without her father or husband go to court.    There are no places that are “off limits” to women and women could talk to men without having another man from her family 
    Your information about Saudi Arabia is wrong 
    The internet begs to differ. 

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_segregation_in_Saudi_Arabia

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_rights_in_Saudi_Arabia
    And also Saudi Arabia has music concerts now (which are gender mixed) and almost everything now is gender mixed 
    there isn’t gender segregation any more in almost everything 
    And if you didn’t know   The Saudi ambassador in the us is a women 
    edited July 2021
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