Launch of 13th Festival of the Mind

From left: Prof Chuah, Tun Ling, Tan Sri Lim and Dr Tan launching the 13^th MFotM with the “Genetron” created by UTAR Architecture students

With the vision to promote mental literacy and create awareness about the human mind and its unlimited potential, the Malaysia Festival of the Mind (MFotM) started this year with its first session at TAR UC Kuala Lumpur Main Campus from 8 to 9 July 2017. The MFotM is a concerted effort by the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC).

Launching the 13^th MFotM at TAR UC were the Guest of Honour LBS Bina Group Managing Director Tan Sri Lim Hock San, MMLM Chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik and TAR UC President Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok.

In his welcome speech, Tun Ling emphasised, “I am happy to see MMLM and its members are able to once again hold the MFotM to teach us more about the greatness of the mind as well as the brain and memory skills. There are many techniques and skills that could help us enhance and preserve memory. One of the keys to is to visualise any subject content or whatever information that you want to remember, and it will retain in your memory over a very long period of time.”

 Tun Ling emphasising on the importance of pictorializing information

Tan Sri Lim said, “I am glad that the MMLM has been playing an important role in the society by establishing such a notable platform to create awareness and raise the level of mental literacy among the general public. Our brains have the ability to store unlimited information and the more we learn, the smarter we become. The more we exercise our brain, the fitter it will be. Achieving mental fitness is as crucial as keeping a routine workout of physical fitness.”

Tan Sri Lim applauding MMLM’s effort in promoting mental literacy in Malaysia

Themed ‘Great Mind’, the 13^th MFotM offered a line-up of games, talks, workshops and exhibitions. One of the event highlights was a memory demonstration by the International Guest Speaker Huang Sheng Hua from China. He earned the International Master of Memory (IMM) title at the World Memory Championship 2014. Later in 2016, Huang was invited to China’s famous TV show “The Brain” and became the first person to have achieved all the Master titles of Memory in the World. He said, “Everyone has the chance to improve their memory with proper training and practice even if you are in your late 80's. It’s true that certain brain changes are inevitable when it comes to aging, but regular brain exercise is a promising way to enhance our memory power.” Huang will also speak at the festival at UTAR Kampar.

 Huang showcasing his incredible memory power at the launch

Among the talks held at TAR UC included “Build A Smart Brain in 21st Century” by West Wong, “Brain Balancing, Exam Go Easy!” by Dr Justin Woo, “The 7 Secrets Rhythm 7G for Graduates ‘Be Bold Graduate’” by Elanggovan, “Let Your Life Shine” by Lau Jin Woon, “How to Boost Your Memory” by Kingsley Chew, “Disrupt yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Thinking to Work for You” by Lily Kong, and “The Wonder of Origami” by Kenneth Chng. On the other hand, some workshops were Mensa tests, “Are You Smart Enough for Mensa” by Catherine Chua, “Enjoy Natural Healthy Sleep” by Lily Kong and “Developing Higher-Order Thinking Skills - the Cool Way” by Teoh Poh Yew.

Some of the talks and workshops at the two-day festival

One of the most popular events at the festival was the Green Glade Corner where various types of hands-on activities took place hourly. Some of the activities were cup stacking, origami workshop, board games, magic show, colouring therapy, paper plane workshop and card reading. Besides, there were 27 exhibitors at the festival showcasing mental literacy related products, activities, programmes, services and mind games. 

The Green Glade Corner offered hourly hands-on activities for the visitors

Booths exhibiting various mental related activities, games, services and products

Paper Plane Challenge was held for the first time at the MFotM

More excitingly, the third Intervarsity Sudoku Tournament 2017 was held in conjunction with the 13^th MFotM on 9 July at TAR UC. The tournament saw participation from UTAR, TAR UC, UCSI University, Malvern, Imperia College, Taylor’s University, Methodist College, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia. The tournament comprised four rounds, namely Relay, Individual, Brainstorm and Teamwork. Each institution was allowed to delegate a maximum of three teams, with three players in a team. Marks were given to the teams based on the speed and accuracy for each round.

Team WSG was crowned the overall gold medal winner of the third Intervarsity Sudoku Tournament 2017. The team consisted of three UTAR Actuarial Science undergraduates Tan Yan Kang, Chew Jing Hang and Wong Kean Hui, who walked home with cash prize RM900. Meanwhile, the silver medal winner was Team Brutallica from USM and the bronze medal winner was Team SOS from UTAR, which won RM600 and RM300 cash prize respectively. 

Participants at the final round of the third Intervarsity Sudoku Tournament 2017

MMLM Secretary Lim Guat Yen (far left) and Malaysia Sudoku Society President Mohd Yusri bin Mohd Shariff (far right) with the winners of the third Intervarsity Sudoku Tournament 2017

Besides, the festival at TAR UC also saw a prize giving ceremony to the winners from Mind Competitions 2017 which was held earlier this year on 15 April 2017 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. The festival saw participation from the public and schools with free admission. All visitors also stood a chance to win attractive prizes from lucky draws. 

 Winners of the Mind Competitions

A parent of a primary school child, Wong Tzyy Tyng said, “This is my first visit to the MFotM and I am glad that my family and I had the opportunity to learn about brain power for free. This is indeed a precious platform that will inspire people from all walks of life to explore the strengths of our brains. Through the talks and workshops I also learnt some skills that are very much relevant and applicable to my daily lives.”

Form 6 students Ooi Zhi Wei @ Ruveniyaa, Helmy Ikram Bin Hasim and Sharvena V Ravi enthused, “There were many booths that provided consultations and various activities. They were all interesting and we even spent around one hour at some of the booths! We also learnt a lot about the potential of the human brain and enjoyed the activities at the festival very much especially at the Green Glade Corner.”

The MFotM is held annually and has been well-supported since its inaugural launch in 2007. The festival has attracted favourable response from all segments of society, from children to adults to retirees. It is a testament that age is no barrier to the pursuit of knowledge or mental literacy for continuous personal improvement.

The annual festival aims to raise awareness of intellectual resources for the nation’s growth, development and progress as well as the pursuit of quality life for all Malaysians. MMLM also aspires to introduce and to promote various techniques and skills pertaining to the improvement of mental literacy as well as ways of developing brainpower among Malaysians.

The 13^th MFotM was proudly sponsored and supported by LBS Bina Group, YHI (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd - the sole distributor of Yokohama tyres, Bayer Co. (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Top Glove Foundation, Melpac Sdn Bhd, Maju Tmas Sdn Bhd, The Star, Grand Kampar Hotel, Hock Seng Food (M) Sdn Bhd and Aktifotak.

The next MFotM will be held at UTAR Kampar Campus from 15 to 16 July 2017. Meanwhile, the final session of this festival will be held from 3 to 5 November 2017 at the MINES International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC). For more information, browse MMLM official website at https://www.utar.edu.my/mmlm/.