Apple has opened its first ever iOS App Development Centre in Naples' University of Naples Federico II.

The free nine month long course is designed to provide students with "practical skills and training" for them to make their own iOS apps.

Just 200 students from 4,000 applicants have been accepted onto the course. They will each receive the latest iPhone, iPad and MacBook to work with.

Boosting the South

Apple has been deeply involved with the construction of the centre, from designing the classrooms right down to picking out paint colours and lighting.

Plans for the academy began in January 2016 when Apple CEO Tim Cook met Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi. The academy is hoped to reduce some of the stereotypes surrounding South Italy being a poor, rural area.

Apple has also announced plans to open an R&D centre in China to help boost relations with industry and universities in the country.

[Source: The Verge]