12th National Mathematics Competition

Photography session

The 12th National Mathematics Competition (NMC) was held at Sungai Long Campus on 17 June 2017. Present at the event were Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Prof Ir Dr Goi Bok Min, Chairperson of the Centre for Mathematical Sciences Dr Goh Yong Kheng, sponsors, participants, staff and students.

The objective of NMC is to cultivate interest in mathematics among high school, pre-university, and undergraduate students. Besides, this competition offers a networking opportunity for all undergraduate students and thus fosters friendly relationship among undergraduate students from different universities.

There were more than 200 participants throughout the three categories, namely category A, B and C. Category A known as the ‘Theory of Everything’ consist of mathematical questions from all aspects and need to be completed within 60 minutes. Category B ‘The Running Maths’ consist of 100 arithmetic questions related to simple mathematical operations which need to be completed within 20 minutes. Whereas, Category C ‘The Mathkeeters’ is a team competition that requires students to solve nine subjective questions within 60 minutes.

The judges for the competition were Dr Goh, LKC FES Head of Programme for Master of Mathematics Dr Wong Voon Hee, Dr Qua Kiat Tat, LKC FES lecturers Chew Chun Yong, Kuang Kee Seng, Choo Ley Ya, Koay Hang Leen and LKC FES tutors Dennis Ng Wen Wei and Chin Ching Herny.

Prof Choong said, “We need to overcome the misconception that maths is difficult. Exposure to different areas of study is crucial to learn and apply mathematics and statistics skills. Based on the World Economic Forum, it is highlighted that 65 percent of children will secure new jobs relating to STEM. Thus, it is important to have strong mathematical literacy to be incorporated in other fields.”

“I believe that this competition will be a step forward towards dismantling the negative perception of mathematics and encourage students to harness their understanding and talents for a better acceptance of Maths which is the core base of STEM education,” said NMC Chairperson Len Yue Yang.

“I am glad to participate in the UTAR’s 12^th NMC and the previous ones as it is a quality competition that stretches the mind and mathematical skills. This can be considered as a national level competition and I am proud to win the Ironmath Award,” said Tan Kin Aun, who won the ‘Ironmath Award’ for having the highest overall score for the three categories.

The list of winners is as follows:

Category A: Theory of Everything

Champion	:	Takeda Shigenori (Chong Hwa Independent High School)
1^st runner up	:	Siew Rui-Xian (Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas)
2^nd runner up:	:	Low Zhao Chyn (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)
Consolation	:	Low Zhao Chyn (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) Tan Soon Wei (HELP College Kuala Lumpur) Foo Shi Quan (Chong Hwa Independent High School) Lim Ming Yean (SMJK Katholik) Cheah Jun Yitt (Sunway University)

Category B: Running Maths

Champion	:	Tan Yan Xin (UCSI University)
1^st runner up	:	Kee Kai Xiang (Foon Yew High School Kulai)
2^nd runner up:	:	Wong Kar Fai (Asia Pacific University)
Consolation	:	Ang Yi Xuan (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman) Ong Yong Han (Taylor’s College Subang Jaya) Soon Yan Wen (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman) Tan Soon Wei (HELP College Kuala Lumpur) Tan Eng Hao (International Medical University)

Category C: Mathketeers

Champion	:	Thum Sze Khai, Tan Kin Aun and Lee Anson (Sunway College)
1^st runner up	:	Lim Jing Ren, Theam Wing Chun and Gabriel Seng Qi Wen (Sunway College)
2^nd runner up:	:	Lee Zhi Wei, Tan Soon Wei and Siew Rui-Xian (Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas)

Participated were Asia Pacific University, Asia Pacific International School, Brickfields Asia College, California State University, Chong Hwa Independent High School Kuala Lumpur, Foon Yew High School Kulai, HELP College Kuala Lumpur, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, International Education College, International Medical University, Kolej Matrikulasi Kedah, Kolej MDIS Malaysia, Kolej Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman-Johor Branch Campus, Kolej Yayasan UEM, Kolej MDIS MALAYSIA, Methodist College Kuala Lumpur, Monash University Malaysia, Multimedia University, Nilai International School, Quest International University Perak, SEGi University, SM Setiabudi, SMJK Katholik PJ, SMK Taman Melati, Sunway College Subang Jaya, Sunway-TES, Sunway University, Taylor's College Sri Hartamas, Taylors College Subang Jaya, Taylor's International School Kuala Lumpur, The Alice-Smith School, UCSI University, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, University Putra Malaysia, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Vikas International School and Xiamen University Malaysia.

Category A winners with Dr Goh

Category B winners with Prof Goi

Prof Choong with category C winners

Prof Choong presenting the Ironmath Award to Tan

Participants solving mathematics riddles at the booths

Participants competing with each other to solve mathematical questions