Competition helps stimulate the mind

A young participant taking part in an activity at the STEM booth as part of Mind Competitions 2023.

SOME 570 people including children had an opportunity to test their mental acuity at Mind Competitions 2023.

The competition was held concurrently in three locations – Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)’s Kampar and Sungai Long campuses and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) Penang campus.

The annual competition was jointly organised by Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement, UTAR and TAR UMT in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair to promote mental literacy.

A total of 80 people participated in the event at UTAR Kampar which featured three categories.

These were Memory Competition, Mind Mapping and Mental Calculation.

Among the participants were six-year-old Ameena Alifa Ahmad Luqman, who took part in the Memory Competition along with her older sister Alisha Alifa.

Nor Afifah with her daughters Ameena Alifa (left) and Alisha Alifa at Mind Competitions 2023 held at the UTAR Kampar campus.

Their mother Nor Afifah Sabri said the competition was a good platform for Ameena Alifa to stimulate her mind.

“She is a bit shy but enjoyed it,” Nor Afifah said.

“I am glad she had this exposure from participating in the competition.

“I am proud of them, and I believe they have worked hard because they practised random words and numbers on the ‘Memory League’ website.”

Another participant, 18-year-old Zoe Wong Xin Hui, took part in Mental Calculation and said she managed to complete all the questions within the time given.

“I practised by referring to various mind maps I found online and studied the ways they were outlined.

“I also practised mathematical equations to prepare myself for the competition,” she said, adding that she had a great time drawing mind maps because it was something she enjoyed doing.

“I believe I did very well in the competition,” she added.

Xin Hui also said she had learned from the event.

Participants at UTAR Kampar campus testing their mental acuity during the competition which was held concurrently in three locations.

“I also gained inspiration for my mind map drawing from the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workshop outside the hall.

“I am glad I participated in the competition. I acquired useful information from the STEM workshop,” she added.

Lim Xiu San, from Johor, said it was her second time participating in the Mind Competition.

“I first participated when I was 10 years old.

“I would not say I am very experienced in this competition but I am glad to be able to participate this year.

“I look forward to participating again next year,” said the 16-year-old, who was accompanied by her father, Lim Ching Yam.

The winners’ results will be published on mmlm.utar.edu.my on Oct 17, where it can be viewed until Nov 10.

Winners will be notified via email and invited to attend the award ceremony at the 17th Malaysia Festival of the Mind in conjunction with Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair 2023 from Oct 27-29.

The prizes are RM5,000 for first place, RM2,000 for second place and RM1,000 for third.

A special prize of RM500 will be awarded to each winning participant in the children and senior citizen categories.

There will also be a Best School Prize of RM500 for the school with the highest number of student registration in each competition category.