UTAR hosts UTAR English Mastermind Competition 2025

UTAR Sungai Long Campus came alive on 25 September 2025 as it hosted the much-anticipated UTAR English Mastermind Competition 2025, organised by the Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS). The event drew enthusiastic participation from three secondary schools, namely SMK Jalan Bukit, Kajang; SMK Taman Desaminium, Seri Kembangan; and SMJK Yu Hua, Kajang.

The competition, designed to test linguistic knowledge and sharpen communication skills, featured five challenging sections: listening, sentence structure, grammar and tenses, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. These segments provided a comprehensive platform for students to showcase both their mastery of English and their ability to apply language skills under time constraints.

Beyond the competition, the event also offered enrichment sessions. Students benefited from a workshop by Ms Catherine See, who introduced effective strategies in Enhancing Learning with Mind Mapping Techniques. Meanwhile, teachers were invited to a dedicated talk by Dr Saraswathy Thurairaj, themed Shaping Minds, Building Nations, which emphasised the crucial role of educators in nurturing future leaders.

The highlight of the day was the prize presentation ceremony, which recognised outstanding performances among the young contestants. The first prize of RM200 was awarded to Jove Lee Saint Jay from SMJK Yu Hua, Kajang, while the second prize of RM100 went to his schoolmate Liew Le On. The third prize of RM50 was presented to Bhairavi Thirunavakarasu of SMK Jalan Bukit, Kajang. Each winner also received a medal and a certificate of excellence.

The competition hall was filled with excitement as the winners expressed their gratitude and reflected on their journey of preparation. The event also featured a special speech by CFS (Sungai Long Campus) Director Ms Melissa Stefanie Netto, whose words of encouragement resonated with all participants. Approximately 160 students and 12 teachers attended, making it a lively gathering of aspiring learners and dedicated educators.

The success of the UTAR English Mastermind Competition 2025 was made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, including Canaan Communication and Technologies Sdn Bhd, JA Revolution Sdn Bhd, Pinabalim Sdn Bhd, and Agensi Perkerjaan Workwave Sdn Bhd. UTAR also extended its heartfelt appreciation to individual sponsors Mr Pravin Nagapan, Mr Raspal Singh, and Major Govindaraj Kanappan (Rtd) for their valuable contributions towards the event’s success.

The UTAR English Mastermind Competition 2025 not only celebrated academic excellence but also reinforced UTAR’s mission to cultivate quality education through collaboration with schools. With its blend of competition, learning, and engagement, the event stood as a testament to the transformative power of education in shaping confident communicators and future-ready leaders.