Let’s boost mental literacy

(Seated from left) Ong, Prof Lee, Dr Ling and Dr Ng posing for a photograph with the MMLM judges at the event.

WHO knew the Rubik’s Cube would be such a hit? Even its inventor Erno Rubik himself could not have guessed it.

The cube, which became an overnight sensation almost four decades ago, still remains as one of the world’s fastest-selling toy today.

Those who are adept in solving the puzzle now have a chance to showcase their techniques and skills at the 3x3x3 Rubik’s Cube Competition next month.

Held from 2pm to 4pm on April 14 at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman’s (UTAR) Sungai Long campus, the Rubik’s Cube contest is organised in conjunction with the Minds Competition 2018.

The Mind Competitions, which consists of three main categories - Memory, Mind Mapping and Mental Calculation - gives participants a chance to win prizes worth up to RM60,000.

Both competitions - which are open to people of all ages - are part of the annual Malaysia Festival of the Mind (MFotM) initiative to create awareness about the human mind and its unlimited potential.

MFotM aims to develop thinking, memory, creativity, and introduce various memory techniques and skills through empowerment of the mind.

Entering its 14th edition, the event is organised by the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM), UTAR and Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC).

MMLM chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik said there will be more activities this year and encouraged the public to take part in the festival, with free admission.

He said it is a concern that mental literacy, together with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education are declining at a rapid pace.

“Memory has a multitude of uses and it should be cherished. It benefits everybody from all ages and professions,” he said during a press conference at the UTAR Sungai Long campus.

Dr Ling who is also UTAR chancellor, added that the festival raises awareness of the intellectual resources needed for the nation’s growth, development and progress.

Themed “Great Mind: Be Part of Greatness”, the MFofM will take place from Nov 2 to 4 in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF) at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

MFotM will feature among others, Mensa IQ Test, Mind Workshops, programmes and activities related to mental literacy, mind games, mental literacy talks and free consultation alongside therapy on mind-related matters.

As part of MFotM, a talk titled “Increase Your Intelligence with Mental Calculation” will also be conducted by Mental Calculation Competition chief judge West Wong on March 24 from 10am to 12pm at the campus.

Also present were MMLM committee members Tan Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Prof Dr Lee Sze Wei, treasurer Ong Whee Tiong and judges.

For more information about the event, log onto https://www.utar.edu.my/mmlm.