With the aim to introduce and promote various techniques and skills pertaining to the improvement of mental literacy among Malaysians, the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) together with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) have staged another comeback with more exciting events this year through the 12th Malaysia Festival of the Mind (MFotM) and the Mind Competitions 2016.
Following the Mind Festivals held in Penang and Kampar, Perak in July, the Mind Competitions was successfully held on 6 August 2016 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. This year, the annual occasion saw some 650 participants from all walks of life, including primary and secondary school students, university students, working professionals to retirees, attending to hone their memory, mind mapping and mental calculation skills.
The Mind Competitions 2016 consisted of three competitions, namely Memory Competition, Mind Mapping Competition and Mental Calculation. Besides First, Second and Third Prize, each competition also awarded prizes for the following categories: Consolation Prizes, Best School Prize, Special Prize for Children and the newly-added category, Special Prize for Senior Citizen, with the cash prizes totalling RM60,000.
The youngest participant at the Mind Competitions was Goh Ai Ling who joined the competition for the first time. “My parents encouraged me to challenge my memory capacity as I often show good potential in memorising texts. I thought it would be an interesting experience and would also like to challenge my memory ability, therefore I decided to participate in the competitions,” said the six-year-old.
Wan Mohd Ridzwan Bin Wan Razalli, an 11-year old primary school boy, joined both Memory Competition and the Mind Mapping Competition. He said, “Challenging my memory is fun and I enjoy drawing and reading too. I am very excited that I can participate in both the Memory and Mind Mapping competitions and discover how these could help myself.”
Form Two student Nura Husna said, “The skills required in these competitions are very much relevant to me as a student and they are also useful skills for studies and daily life. I have learnt how to make use of mind maps to help me better understand reading materials and subjects like History.”
Besides local participants, the Mind Competitions also saw some international contestants. Ri Ji Hyon from South Korea said, “Brain sports help me to train my brain power and keep me challenging myself.” Fourth time attendee from Nigeria, Rose Adeh who participated in all the three competitions enthused, “It is a very meaningful and interesting competition as it allows me to unleash the potential of my memory and mental power. I have learnt a lot and would like to join the Mind Competitions again!”
MMLM will hold its final festival for this year in Selangor simultaneously with the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF) from 4 to 6 November 2016 at the Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC), Mines Wellness City. Admission to the festival, talks and workshops is open to all and free of charge.
Results of the Mind Competitions will be posted on MMLM official website on 23 September 2016. Participants can view the results until 6 November 2016. The prize-giving ceremony will be held on 5 November 2016 at the Mind Festival (in conjunction with KLESF) at MIECC.
For more information on the Mind Competitions and the 12th MFotM, browse the MMLM official website at www.utar.edu.my/mmlm
Invigilators distributing question papers to the participants
Participants wearing headphones for better focus in Memory Competition
Mind Mapping Competition
Participants from all walks of life at the Mental Calculation Competitions
Some booths exhibiting and selling mind toys and games at the Mind Competitions
Goh (far left), the youngest participant with her family
Wan Mohd Ridzwan at Memory Competitions
Nura Husna (front row, right) with her classmates after the Mind Mapping Competition
Ri (left) from South Korea and Adeh (right) from Nigeria
Teo Kim Foo, one of the Mind Competitions judges and the President of Malaysia Memory Sports Organisation, who is also the first Malaysian with the title of International Master of Memory
West Wong, also known as the “Malaysian Human Calculator” briefing the participants as one of the judges at the Mind Competitions
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