UTAR students excel in national competitions through dedication and expert mentorship

UTAR students achieved outstanding success by securing top awards in four prestigious national-level competitions: the Beaver Computational Thinking Competition, Kancil Science Competition, Kangaroo Mathematics Competition, and Kijang Economics Competition. These accomplishments reflect the university’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and holistic development. Through rigorous training and dedicated mentoring by experienced lecturers, students gained the skills and confidence needed to excel on national platforms.

The Beaver Computational Thinking Competition 2024, conducted online on 15 May 2024, saw 14 enthusiastic participants from the Centre for Foundation Studies, Sungai Long Campus (CFS-SL). Senior lecturer Ms Kong Jee Kim led two intensive training sessions, focusing on problem-solving techniques and computational thinking. These sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours, explored competition-specific problems designed to enhance critical thinking and analytical abilities. The students’ efforts paid off, with Carlos Wong and Goy Loong Khai earning Gold Medals, while other participants secured Silver, Bronze, and Honourable Mentions.

Carlos Wong (second from left) and Goy (fourth from the right)

List of participants in the Beaver Computational Thinking Competition 2024:

The Kancil Science Competition 2024, held on 12 June 2024, featured ten UTAR students who demonstrated exceptional scientific knowledge and analytical skills. Their success was the result of thorough preparation led by lecturers Ms Precilla Robert, Ms Lee Cin Dee, and Ms Tan Zhen Jee. These dedicated educators conducted three focused training sessions covering key scientific concepts and problem-solving strategies. Their mentorship helped students navigate complex competition questions with confidence and precision. As a result, Chia Qi Fu, Fah Carl Young, and Tan Yu Eun earned Gold Medals, while others secured Silver, Bronze, and Honourable Mentions, reflecting the strength of their preparation​.

Chia (fourth from left), Fah (3rd from the right) and Tan (second from right), the three Gold Medal recipients in the Kancil Science 2024 competition

List of participants in the Kancil Science Competition 2024 DELTA category:

Despite the challenge of overlapping final exams, UTAR students excelled in the Kangaroo Mathematics Competition 2024, initially scheduled for 8 May 2024 but rescheduled to 13 May 2024 after receiving special approval from the organisers. Students participated following extensive coaching by Ms Kong Jee Kim and Mr Foo Heng Yen, who conducted two detailed training sessions lasting two hours each. The sessions emphasised mathematical reasoning, logical problem-solving, and competition techniques. Their guidance helped five students secure Silver Medals, two earn Bronze Medals, and several others receive Honourable Mentions. This success demonstrated the students’ resilience, determination and adaptability​.

Participants during competition day

List of participants in the Kangaroo Mathematics Competition 2024:

The Kijang Economics Competition 2024, conducted online on 26 June 2024, further showcased UTAR students’ critical thinking and economic analysis skills. Eleven students participated after receiving dedicated coaching from Ms Ngo Siau Woon and Ms Anusuya Ravindran, who conducted two in-depth training sessions on core economic principles, market dynamics, and analytical strategies. Their expert guidance enabled students to perform exceptionally well, with one participant earning a Bronze Medal and seven receiving Honourable Mentions. The results underscored the value of focused academic preparation and effective mentorship​.

Training by Ms Anusuya

Training by Ms Ngo Siau Woon

List of participants in the Kijang Economics Competition 2024 Upper Secondary category:

Student Name	Award Won
Alexander Ho Kah Hao	Bronze Award
Foo Wan Ying	Honourable Mention
Tan Sin Hui	Honourable Mention
Tee Yi	Honourable Mention
Perseus Ong Jia Qi	Honourable Mention
Carlos Wong	Honourable Mention
Lee Thian Chai	Honourable Mention
Keong Kai Loong	Honourable Mention
Tham Yan Yi	Certificate of Participation
Shim Jia Ern	Certificate of Participation
Thamizhventhan a/l Nantha Kumar	Certificate of Participation