Chitkara University Students: Industry-ready from Day One with Apple

As the technology workforce evolves and expectations are higher than ever, demand for skilled graduates continues to grow. “The technology half-life used to be 10 years. Now it’s closer to five”, says Krishna Prakash, Senior Vice President at Infosys. “That means people need to be trained much faster than before. We look for problem-solving, collaboration, analytical thinking, creativity and adaptability. These are the skills that define how someone works on a team.”

Chitkara University’s iOS Student Developer Program, a collaboration of Apple, Infosys and selected universities, was created in response to this shift. Students from a range of backgrounds learn and execute the full product development journey and integrate their design, technology and decision-making skills.

iOS Development Centres are equipped with the latest Apple technology, including Macs, iPhones and iPads. Students use Apple’s tools and learning materials, such as Xcode and Develop in Swift Tutorials, along with design and development resources to experiment and iterate across devices.

In particular, Xcode provides tools to build, test and distribute apps across Apple platforms. As they develop their skills, students from around the world are invited to build an app on a topic of their choice and participate in the Swift Student Challenge. And because the resources are available online, students can build from campus labs, personal devices or on their own time, making learning more accessible.

In addition, faculty and mentors create a space for collaboration and experimentation. Infosys grounds the program in real workplace experience through mentorships and internships. “Students need to understand how teams function, how decisions are made and how products evolve beyond the classroom”, Prakash says.

Many students complete the program with more than an app and a line on their resume. They leave with the confidence to launch a career, earned through execution and real-life industry experience. “India needs programmers, problem solvers, leaders who think globally and act locally”, says Dr. Cavita Taragi, Pro Vice Chancellor, Industry Partnerships, Chitkara University. “As far as technology and innovation are concerned, we have seen the tools the students have access to. They are absolutely invaluable.”