Participants put their math skills to test at National Mathematics Competition 2023

Third row from left: (fifth) Sia, Prof Goi, Dr Yap, Dr Goh, Dr Wong Voon Hee and Dr Wong Wai Kuan with organising committee members and participants

The UTAR Mathematics Society organised the 16th National Mathematics Competition 2023 on 9 September 2023 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. Around 95 participants joined the competition. The competition aimed to cultivate interest in Mathematics among high school, college and university students; enhance Mathematics knowledge and cultivate creative and critical thinking skills among the students; encourage mathematically-gifted undergraduate students in Malaysia; promote both undergraduate and postgraduate Mathematics-based courses offered by UTAR; foster friendly ties between high schools, colleges and universities, and foster ties between the members of research centres and students. The competition was solely sponsored by YouthsToday.com. A total of RM5,200 cash prizes were up for grabs.

The participating schools were Pin Hwa High School, Confucian Private Secondary School, Foon Yew High School Johor Bahru, UTAR, Foon Yew High School Kulai, Asia Pacific University (APU), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), KLUANG Chong Hwa High School, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Sunway College, SMK Setia Alam, SMK Damansara Jaya, Aimst University, SMK(L) Methodist Kuala Lumpur and SMK Taman Ehsan.

The Chairperson of UTAR Mathematics Society, Sia Liang Chuan, said in his opening speech, “Mathematics is not just about numbers and equations; it is a language that transcends borders and connects people from all walks of life. It challenges us, inspires us, and fuels our curiosity about the world around us. As you compete today, remember that it’s not just about winning but also about the journey of discovery and learning. Embrace the challenges, learn from your experiences, and most importantly, enjoy every moment of this competition.”

UTAR Mathematics Society Chairperson Sia Liang Chuan

The competition was divided into three categories: Theory of Everything, The Running Math and The Mathketeers.

Category A (Theory of Everything) consisted of twenty multiple-choice questions. The participants were required to complete the questions within one hour. On the other hand, there were a hundred questions for Category B (The Running Math) and the duration of the competition was twenty minutes. Category C (The Mathketeers) was a team competition and each team consisted of three members. The duration given to complete this category was one hour. The scope of Category A and C included calculus and applications, number theory and applications, linear algebra and applications, discrete mathematics and graph theory, probability and applications, and problem-solving and logic. The scope of Category B included differentiation and integration.

Present at the closing ceremony was UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, who was also accompanied by Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Assoc Prof Ts Dr Yap Wun She, LKC FES Department of Mathematical and Actuarial Sciences Head Dr Wong Voon Hee, LKC FES Programme of Master of Mathematics Head Dr Wong Wai Kuan and Mathematics Society Advisor Assoc Prof Dr Goh Yong Kheng.

Prof Goi said in his closing speech, “In a highly competitive and complex era, we need to equip our students with a powerful set of tools including logical reasoning, problem-solving and the ability to think in a complex way. In UTAR’s curriculum, mathematics subjects aim not only to provide students with knowledge but also to equip them with the necessary skills to face a knowledge-based society. At the same time, I hope today’s event will also provide students with a platform that offers a networking opportunity for all undergraduate students from different universities.”

Prof Goi delivering his speech

Winner list for each Category:

Category A
Champion	Kok Ying Hao	Universiti Malaya
First Runner-up	Ng Shao Qian	Universiti Malaya
Second Runner-up	Kee Jia Jun	Foon Yew High School Kulai
Consolation	Chong Yoong Kiat	UTAR
	Boo Kai Jun	Foon Yew High School Johor Bahru
	Chong Ren Hao	UTAR

Category B
Champion	Lee Zi Liang	Foon Yew High School
First Runner-up	Kok Ying Hao	Universiti Malaya
Second Runner-up	Jimmy Lim Jin Sheng	Pin Hwa High School
Consolation	Lim Yu Qian	Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
	Boo Kai Jun	Foon Yew High School Johor Bahru
	Dexter Tan Yi Jia	Foon Yew High School Kulai

Category C
Champion	Group 13:
	Ng Shao Qian	Universiti Malaya
	Kok Ying Hao	Universiti Malaya
	Sia Chen Yi	Universiti Malaya
First Runner-up	Group 1:
	Jimmy Lim Jin Sheng	Pin Hwa High School
	Ea Yong Le	Pin Hwa High School
	Choo Wen Bin	Pin Hwa High School
Second Runner-up	Group 15:
	Ong Zhi Zhung	Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
	Lim Yu Qian	Universiti Putra Malaysia
	Bong Kok Sen	Universiti Putra Malaysia

The Iron Math Trophy was awarded to Kok Ying Hao from Universiti Malaya for winning the highest overall score in all A, B and C categories.