US tech giant Apple announced increasing its support for the next generation of developers in China with a donation of 30 million yuan (approximately $4.18 million) to Zhejiang University. The donation aims to provide students with the skills and resources needed to succeed in the growing tech industry.
Apple CEO Tim Cook visited the university in east China on the same day, where he emphasized the power of coding. "We believe coding is a powerful tool that empowers people to create, communicate, and solve problems in entirely new ways", says Cook. He also expressed pride in expanding Apple's decade-long partnership with Zhejiang University, aiming to support the development of future coders.
The donation will create opportunities for students by connecting them with industry leaders and investors. It will include workshops, internships, and mentorship programs, which will help students gain valuable business skills, particularly in the rapidly growing iOS app economy.
In collaboration with Apple, Zhejiang University will establish the Apple App Incubation Fund, which will focus on training students in the latest technologies. The fund will provide specialized curricula in areas such as app development, product design, marketing, and business operations.
This donation is part of Apple's ongoing commitment to the Mobile Application Innovation Contest, organized by Zhejiang University. Over the past decade, the contest has benefited around 30,000 participants from nearly 1,000 universities across China.
Apple’s new donation follows a separate initiative, where the company recently set up a 720 million yuan clean energy fund in China. Cook made this announcement during his visit to China, where he also attended the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum in Beijing.
Through these donations, Apple continues to invest in the future of education and innovation in China, empowering students with the tools they need to succeed in the global tech industry.
