Three Saudi students have been recognized as winners in the latest Apple Swift Student Challenge after developing coding projects aimed at addressing real-world social and environmental issues. The winners—Layan Allhiddan, Maram bin Gubair, and Noura Alshathry—demonstrated innovative approaches in the fields of communication, sustainability, and climate change through their applications.
Layan Allhiddan, 22, a recent graduate in computer information systems from Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, designed Velora, an app intended to assist people who stutter by enhancing their communication skills. Velora offers an interactive fluency scenario engine where users practice controlled breathing, gentle voice onset, and rhythm in real-life speaking situations, accompanied by real-time feedback. Allhiddan explained that the app aims to support not only functional communication but also the emotional challenges faced by those who stutter, helping users feel more empowered in classrooms, workplaces, and communities.
“Allhiddan emphasized that technology should move beyond mere functionality and engage with human emotions,” she said. “If an app can help someone feel more confident in sharing their voice, that impact is profound.” She described her experience in the Apple Swift Student Challenge as intense and fast-paced, noting that she discovered the competition only two weeks before submission. Despite technical difficulties, including a hardware failure shortly before the deadline, Allhiddan completed and submitted Velora with just 20 minutes to spare. Her victory affirms her belief in persistence under pressure and marks a significant milestone in her growing career as a developer.
Another winner, Maram bin Gubair, 27, a biology graduate from Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, created Carbi, an educational game aimed at raising awareness about sustainability and climate change. Drawing on her academic background and passion for environmental issues, bin Gubair sought to engage users creatively to foster greater ecological responsibility. She cited the inspiring example of previous challenge participants and expressed a strong motivation to contribute to the rapid development and innovation characterizing Saudi Arabia’s current landscape.
Noura Alshathry also received recognition for her app Verdant, designed to help users bridge the gap between environmental intentions and real-world actions. This project addresses common barriers to ecological engagement by providing accessible information and practical steps for users interested in climate-related initiatives.
The Apple Swift Student Challenge, held annually, encourages students from across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to apply coding skills toward impactful solutions. Since 2022, regional institutions such as the Apple Developer Academy, Tuwayq Academy, and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University have collaborated with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones to foster local talent. The program promotes a new generation of developers who view code not merely as a technical tool but as a medium for storytelling and social change.
All three winners highlighted how participation in the challenge has broadened their perspectives on technology’s potential and strengthened their commitment to creating user-centric, socially relevant applications.