IOS Design Challenge 2026–2027
The Year of Family:
Growing in Unity
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 strengthen and support UAE families.
iOS Design Challenge 2026–2027
The Year of Family:
Growing in Unity
Join Designing Stronger Families.
Designing for Connection - Inspired by Family.
Every great app begins with a human story — and in 2026–2027, that story is about family. As the UAE dedicates this year to strengthening family bonds, passing on values, and building confident and capable generations, we’re proud to align our design challenge with this national vision. The Year of Family is a national invitation to rediscover the relationships at the heart of our lives — between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings and extended family. The challenge is to translate that vision into apps that:
- Nurture closeness and strengthen family bonds
- Preserve and celebrate Emirati values, traditions, and identity
- Support families in navigating modern challenges with confidence
- Connect generations through shared stories and experiences
From everyday routines to family celebrations, your design ideas need to reflect a core belief:
technology can be a catalyst for connection within the family.
Built for People. Designed with Purpose.
As young people living in the UAE, we challenge you to create an app
prototype that:
Bring families together
Enable connection across generations and preserve cultural heritage
Support families in facing the challenges of modern life
The iOS Design Challenge 2026–2027
is more than a competition — it’s a movement.
We’re reimagining how technology can nurture family bonds, preserve heritage, and help
UAE families grow, connect, and thrive.
Growing in Unity:
Roots
Connections
Growth
Timeline
September 2026 - February 2027
Opens
Closes
Deadline
Announced
Building your team
Your team should comprise of a mix of a maximum of four individuals
who can collaborate well together, and have a diverse mix of skills. In the
ever-evolving world of technology and design, the ability to adapt and
transfer skills across different domains is more valuable than ever.
Whether you’re coding a new app, designing an interface, or managing a
project, having a diverse set of skills that can be applied in various contexts
is crucial. These transferable skills not only make you a versatile
team member but also prepare you for the dynamic nature of the tech industry
where roles and technologies are constantly changing.
Each team should have members who are able to provide: coding skills, management skills, marketing skills, and UX, UI designing skills.
- Top teams will be invited to:
- Attend the Award Ceremony
- Join the Swift Accelerator Program with 180 hours of coding instruction
- Macbook Air computers will be provided for the Swift Accelerator Program
- Students who pass the Swift certification keep the Macbook Air
- Design and Coding Resources
- Apple Pro-Level Certification
- Potentially publish their apps in the App Store
The Swift Accelerator Programme will commence in February 2027. New ideas
may be generated under Swift Accelerator not related to iOS Design. Mentoring
sessions will be held during the 2026/2027 academic year (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.