Alumnus excited to return to HFC to teach app development

This fall, HFC alumnus Sabit Islam is one of seven people hired as mentors for the Apple Foundation program, a free introductory app development course open to students, employees, and community members.

“I’m excited to help facilitate this 80-hour course and give back to HFC,” said Islam, a lifelong Woodhaven resident. “It will be a great experience. I believe I can help students find the right field for them.”

This unique program teaches the fundamentals of iOS app development and introduces participants to the growing and in-demand specialty in tech careers. Participants use Macs to explore the fundamentals of app creation. The program equips students with essential skills for product development as they build an app, starting with identifying steps needed to create a prototype based on a selected challenge.

“Sabit has been a wonderful addition to the Apple Foundation mentors team. He is already a valuable contributor in his role as a programmer and coder. I am excited to see how he continues to support current and future learners in the program,” said HFC Program Manager for Workforce Development Cassandra Myers.

Looking forward to releasing SignScribe app he co-created

The fourth of six children, two of Islam’s older siblings, Sajid and Shaon, are also HFC alumni. After Islam graduated from Woodhaven High School, he enrolled at HFC. In late 2023, he earned his associate degree in liberal arts. Islam is now double majoring in computer science and data science at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, and expects to graduate in 2026.

Islam, who speaks fluent English and Bangla (Bengali), was a member of the second cohort at the Apple Developer Academy in Detroit. He and four other students have been working on an app called SignScribe, which is designed to translate American Sign Language into spoken English in real time. He explained the camera option on a cell phone is essential for SignScribe to work. A person will use sign language and sign into the phone. The person operating the phone will speak into it. The app will transcribe the conversation, opening new lines of communication.

“My teammates are extremely talented,” said Islam. “We’re still working on SignScribe. It’s a work in progress, and I’m impressed with what we’ve accomplished in such a short period of time. We’re continuing our education while getting the app where it needs to be for release. We’re all looking forward to that day.”