IOS Design Challenge 2025–2026
The Year of Community:
Hand in Hand
iOS Design Challenge is a national initiative that empowers UAE national students aged 13–18 to become future tech innovators by solving real-world problems through app design and development.
This initiative encourages students to apply design thinking, cultivate STEAM skills, and build functioning iOS apps that address key challenges faced by UAE communities.
IOS Design Challenge 2025–2026
The Year of Community:
Hand in Hand
Join Us in Designing a More Connected UAE.
Designing for Connection - Inspired by Community.
Every space tells a story — and in 2025–2026, that story is all about community. As the UAE dedicates this year to strengthening social bonds, family values, and shared civic spirit, we’re proud to align our design philosophy with the nation’s vision.
The Year of Community is a national invitation to deepen our relationships — with our families, neighborhoods, and wider society. The challenge is to translate that vision into environments that:
▪ Encourage togetherness and inclusion
▪ Celebrate the UAE’s diverse cultural identity
▪ Promote volunteering, well-being, and shared spaces
Built for People. Designed with Purpose.
As the UAE calls on residents to “Be the Change,” we challenge you as young UAE National to create an app prototype that:
Welcome families and foster shared experiences
Enable connection across generations and cultures
Encourage civic pride and community participation
The iOS Design Challenge 2025–2026 is more than a competition — it’s a
movement. We’re reimagining platforms for unity, empathy, and shared purpose in the UAE.
Hand in Hand:
We unite
We contribute
We grow
Timeline
October 2025 - April 2026
Opens
Development
Sessions
![Sandooq lwatan website amendments 2 [Recovered]-09](https://iosdesign.ae/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Sandooq-lwatan-website-amendments-2-Recovered-09.png "Sandooq lwatan website amendments 2 [Recovered]-09")
Deadline
Announced
Building your team
Teachers need to register themselves first and then the team of students.
Each team should have members who are able to provide: coding skills, management skills, marketing skills, and UX, UI designing skills.
Top 120 Winners
- Top teams will be invited to:
- Attend the Award Ceremony
- Join the Swift Accelerator Program with 180 hours of coding instruction
- Design and Coding Resources
- Apple Pro-Level Certification
- Potentially publish their apps in the App Store
New ideas may be generated under Swift Accelerator not related to iOS Design. The mentoring sessions will be held in the Academic Year 2026/2027 (usually on Saturdays).
Students should think carefully about their commitment if they are final year students. Students will be expected to Pass the Apple examination – on the first attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions
This year’s challenge introduces several updates:
– No Training – Students and teachers will access self-paced training materials via the LMS.
– Eligible Participants: Only UAE National students aged 13-18 years.
This challenge is open to all UAE National students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in private and government high schools in the UAE.
Talk with one of your teachers and form your team. Your teacher will register first then will add your team to the competition.
All participants who submit all tasks and team leaders will get certificates. Winning students will attend a prestigious award ceremony and get the opportunity to continue with advanced training in Swift coding.
Yes, but you need to submit a new app prototype.
Yes, you can participate but is not eligilbe to win again. The app prototype also needs to be new.
No, you can only be a winner in one Sandooq Al Watan competition in the same year.