Cover image via Apple Malaysia
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Two Malaysian students have been named winners of the 2026 Swift Student Challenge for their innovative app playgrounds
They are among the 350 winners of Apple's 2026 Swift Student Challenge, representing 37 countries.
Jasmmender Kaur and Ji Yu stood out after developing platforms focusing on AI education and Malaysian Sign Language, respectively.
Jasmmender Kaur was named a Distinguished Winner for her app Unveil, which helps people familiarise themselves with AI.
Image via Apple MalaysiaJasmmender, a 22-year-old student at Taylor's University, was named a Distinguished Winner for her project, Unveil.
The app aims to demystify artificial intelligence through interactive experiences rather than static reading.
Jasmmender, who specialises in data science, built the playground to bridge the gap between everyday AI use and genuine understanding.
She began her coding journey at 10, teaching herself Python and HTML to build mini-games.
Ji Yu created an app called LearnBIM to help people learn Malaysian Sign Language.
Image via Apple MalaysiaJoining her is 21-year-old Ji Yu from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), who focused on localised accessibility
Ji taught himself Swift on a MacBook Air in just a few months to create LearnBIM.
LearnBIM is a tool designed to help users learn Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM) through authentic gesture references.
The app uses real-time camera feedback to ensure users are signing correctly.
Ji Yu (left) and Jasmmender Kaur.
Image via Apple MalaysiaBoth winners took inspiration from their communities to engineer apps with human-centric goals
Susan Prescott, Apple's vice president of worldwide developer relations, praised the creativity seen in this year's submissions.
Prescott noted that these students harnessed AI tools to build playgrounds that are both technically impressive and meaningful.
"The breadth of creativity we see in the Swift Student Challenge never ceases to amaze us," Prescott said.
Fifty Distinguished Winners, including Jasmmender, have been invited to attend the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this June
The curated experience at Apple Park will include hands-on labs and the opportunity to watch the keynote live.
It serves as a vital launchpad for students who thoughtfully engage with the evolving tech landscape.
