ASC community members shine at coding showcase

ASC community members shine at coding showcase

What does a medication reminder app for elderly people and a tool to help friends stay connected have in common? 

They were both ideas born from the creativity of the Asylum Seekers Centre community members participating in the Apple Foundation Program at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Last month our community celebrated the final showcase of this three-week coding program.

The event was filled with excitement, curiosity, and a real sense of achievement as members of our community presented the iOS apps they developed.

The Apple Foundation Program UTS x Asylum Seekers Centre

The Apple Foundation Program UTS offered a free challenge-based learning experience for people seeking asylum and refugees in collaboration with the Asylum Seekers Centre.

Participants worked in teams to solve real-world problems, design apps on Apple’s iOS platform, and develop skills in technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

The Asylum Seekers Centre helped make the program accessible to people seeking asylum. 

Our Employment Services team guided the registration process, advised on accessibility, and collaborated with Apple to ensure the experience met the needs of our community.

“It’s been such an accessible program, and the people seeking asylum in our community have been so excited about it,” says Su Park, the Asylum Seekers Centre’s Employment Services Manager. 

“One of the suggestions the Apple Foundations Team took on board was providing catered lunch during the program. 

“Such a simple gesture had a profound impact on the program – connecting over shared food, the group built great rapport and worked even more effectively in their teams!” 

Participants also gained insights into the Australian IT job market when the Asylum Seekers Centre connected recruitment specialists from Page Group to speak with them about careers in tech.

“It’s a powerful program for capacity building, and so many like-minded organisations were involved in making it a worthwhile opportunity for all participants,” Su adds.

The Asylum Seekers Centre team with the instructors at Apple Foundation UTS Program

Showcasing community creativity

At the showcase, the projects reflected the participants’ passions and problem-solving skills. 

“The community members who are part of it are really getting so much out of it and activating a lot of their prior skills,” shares Su.

Regina’s* team presented a medication reminder app for elderly people that also provides up-to-date information on prescriptions. A former surgeon, Regina is combining her medical knowledge with new coding skills, exploring the intersection of health and technology. 

Alex’s* team developed an app to nurture social connections, which integrated all social media platforms in one place to remind users when they last connected with their closest friends and also to send birthday reminders. 

The showcase was a great celebration of the ideas the participants developed, attended by families and other partners. ASC catered for lunch with longstanding employment partner Parliament on King. 

Why programs like this matter

By providing practical skills, exposure to innovative technology, and supportive networks, programs like these help people seeking asylum and refugees build capacity and confidence. 

“The commitment paid off – participants learned design thinking and coding, built ideas to address real world problems, and developed invaluable skills including problem solving, team work, and communication – all while having a great time!”

Participants left the showcase inspired, skilled, and ready for the next step. 

Based on their final app projects? That next step is harnessing the power of technology and creativity to make a big impact on the world.

*Names change for confidentiality.

Interested in collaborating with the Asylum Seekers Centre’s Employment Services team? Contact employment@asylumseekerscentre.org.au now.