MIND Competitions 2023 is back in physical mode

Participants at the hall doing the mental calculation quiz

The Mind Competitions 2023 at UTAR returned physically this year with more exciting activities at both Sungai Long Campus and Kampar Campus.

Held concurrently at both campuses, the competition is jointly organised by Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM), UTAR and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management & Technology (TAR UMT), in collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF).

Held on 9 September 2023, the competitions this year took place in three different locations; namely, UTAR Sungai Long Campus, UTAR Kampar Campus and TAR UMT, Penang Campus. It also saw the participation of 570 participants.  

The competitions, which is held annually, were open to all ages from pre-school children to university students, and from working professionals to retirees. The competition encourage participants to engage in using their memory skills, mind mapping and mental calculation skills.

 

Registration of participants in progress

The competitions consisted of three main categories; namely, Memory Competition, Mind Mapping Competition and Mental Calculation Competition. These were further divided into several other sub-categories which were; Random Words, Random Numbers, Dates & Events, Random Letters of the Alphabet; Mind Mapping from a Written Text, Free-Style Creative Mind Map; and Mental Calculation (Additions and Multiplications).

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workshop was also held in conjunction with the Mind Competitions this year. Among the activities held at the workshop were “Make my own cheese!”, “Drinking candle”, “My paperclip can float”, “Natural PH indicator”, and “Rainbow Walking Water”.

SK Jalan Empat Bandar Baru Bangi Maths teacher Cikgu Naharruddin

SK Jalan Empat Bandar Baru Bangi Maths teacher Cikgu Naharruddin bin Mahpot has been bringing his students to participate in the UTAR MINDS competition for many years since the competition started. He believes that students need to be exposed to such challenges to be able to think and appreciate the importance of good memory and mental calculation and understand the study of mathematics in class. He hopes that UTAR will continue to hold such competitions for the students to gain wider exposure. There are very few such competitions for students to participate for free. He said he will continue to support UTAR and bring his students. He thanks UTAR for providing such opportunities for school students

Lai (backrow, second from left) with her teachers and friends

Student Lai Yu Xin from SMJK Chan Wa II, Seremban said, “This is my second time joining this competition physically. I got to know about this competition from my teacher. I find this competition beneficial because it helps to train our mental development. It also makes us realise that our memory can be trained. I did some preparations before I joined the competition. I practised to remember the words I read. My teacher was the one who encouraged me to join this competition. He helped me by guiding me step by step. Without him, I wouldn’t have the confidence to join this competition. I definitely will join this competition again in the future.”

The oldest participant Madam Chin See Lin, reaching her seventies, came from Seremban to participate in the Mind Mapping competition.

Three years old participant Chan Khai Xiin and nine years old participant Chan Khai Huik

From left: Students Low Zi Xuan, Lim Hao Lik, Yap Zi Wei and Cha Wei Nin from Hua Xia Private School

Dato’ Noor Azlan Firdaus bin Mohamed with his children, from left: Nur Sofiyyah Humairah Binti Noor Azlan Firdaus, Noor Muhammad A’Qil Firdaus Bin Noor Azlan Firdaus, Nur Lunafreya Humairah Binti Noor Azlan Firdaus and Nur Aisyah Humairah Binti Noor Azlan Firdaus

V. Sangeetha (left) and V. U. Kaheelen participated in all categories of the competition

Sangeetha Valloo, the mother of Kaheelen Visven Umapathy said, “This is our first time joining this competition. I found out about this competition through the website. The competitions were very interesting. We are motivated to join this competition again next year.”

A total of RM60,000 worth of prizes were up for grabs. The top three winners will walk away with RM5,000, RM2,000 and RM1,000 respectively. Five prizes worth RM100 each will be presented to consolation prize winners. The competition will also award three special prizes worth RM500 each to three special category participants. The three special categories include children category (for participant aged 9 and under); senior citizen category (for participant aged 60 and above) and best school prize category (for the school with the highest number of student registration).

The results of the winners will be posted on mmlm.utar.edu.my on 17 October 2023. It can be viewed online until 10 November 2023. The winners will be notified via email and invited to attend the award ceremony at the 17^th Malaysia Festival of the Mind, which will be held in conjunction with KLESF 2023.

Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd sponsored milk cartons for the participants of the MINDS Competition at Sungai Long Campus.

UTAR Sungai Long security team ensuring the safety of the participants. UTAR security staff (third from left): En Ikmal, En Nik Safuan and En Izzat vigilantly on duty

 

Cikgu Naharuddin and his Standard 4-6 students from Sekolah Rendah Jalan Empat Bandar Baru Bangi

 

Noor Farizan and Norhayati Mohamed (right) from SMK Raja Muda Musa

Teachers, Noor Farizan binti Abdur Rahim and Norhayati Mohamed from SMK Raja Muda Musa, Kuala Selangor said, "This is the 6th year we have joined the competition. Memory plays a crucial role in teaching and learning. By joining the competition, we hope our students are exposed to ways to promote cognitive development, improve concentration, creativity and problem-solving skills.'

 

Mr Loong and Ms Teong (right)

A parent of participants, Ms Teong shared, "Information is much better recalled if it is processed meaningfully during learning. Through this competition, I hope my son is able to build his self-confidence and improve his memory skills."

Students from SMK Raja Muda Musa (left) and Kolej Vokasional Perdagangan Johor Bahru

Students from MRSM Bentong (left) and individual participants from different schools

Participants from Sekolah Menengah Teknik Tuanku Jaafar