Apple CEO Tim Cook kicked off the WWDC 2024 proceedings “in the best way possible” meeting with student developers who won the Swift Student Challenge this year. Among them was 22-year-old Akshat Srivastava, a developer from Varanasi, India, who was selected as one of the distinguished winners for his submission, MindBud.
“I met so many extraordinary developers when I visited India last year, and I saw so much excitement for the many ways that technology can enrich people’s lives,” Cook said post the meeting. “And it was equally wonderful to meet Akshat this week, and see how he’s created a whole new way to share his love of classic games with the next generation.”
MindBud, inspired by Akshat’s cherished moments with his nephew, aims to immerse kids in classic games and activities reminiscent of his own childhood. The app’s mission is to nurture both analytical and creative thinking in young minds. It includes four engaging mini-games designed for kids to enjoy with family and friends, blending traditional fun with modern technology.
“Akshat is part of a growing generation of developers from all across India who are bringing their best ideas to life through coding, and making an important impact in their communities and around the world,” Cook said amazed by his “creativity and determination on full display.”
Apple’s annual Swift Student Challenge honours top student coding talent, and this year, it introduced a new category. Out of 350 winning submissions, 50 students were “distinguished” for their exceptional app playgrounds, recognised for their innovation, creativity, social impact, or inclusivity.
As a Distinguished winner, Akshat has earned an exclusive invitation to a three-day in-person experience at Apple Park during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). This special event will feature tailored programming aimed at enhancing skills and fostering creativity. Akshat will join a global community of like-minded creators, sharing ideas and drawing inspiration from one another.
Akshat, a student at BITS Pilani K K Birla College in Goa, began his coding journey at 16, inspired by his brother. Always fascinated by technology, he found coding to be a perfect match, captivated by its potential to solve real-world problems and bring imaginative ideas to life.
“The highlight of my trip [to Apple Park in Cupertino] was presenting my project to Tim Cook, which felt like a dream come true. His genuine interest and insightful feedback were incredibly inspiring and made all my hard work feel worthwhile,” Akshat said. This unforgettable experience confirmed my passion for technology and motivated me to keep pushing boundaries and making an impact.”
Going forward, Akshat aspires to publish his MindBud submission on the App Store, aiming to reach a broader audience and inspire more children with his creative and educational games.
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