Organised by the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TAR College), the 8th Festival of the Mind (Kuala Lumpur) was launched by guest of honour Dato' Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism Malaysia, together with Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, UTAR Council Chairman and MMLM Chairman; Ir Professor Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik, UTAR President, and Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, TAR College Principal at the TAR College Main Campus in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur on 16 June 2012.
Launching the Festival (from left): Datuk Dr Tan, Dato' Sri Dr Ng, Tun Dr Ling, and Prof Chuah.
"Feed our minds with ideas and let our minds discuss ideas and come up with greater ideas for the betterment of mankind", said Tun Dr Ling in his welcome remarks.
"Work your mind like an old horse; you must exercise them to keep them in working order and, of course, you must continuously participate in the Festival of the Mind," he added.
"You need IQ to get into a particular profession and EQ to climb up the corporate ladder faster than your peers", said Dato' Sri Dr Ng, Minister of Tourism Malaysia explaining that both IQ and EQ are equally vital and neither one are greater than the other in her special talk at the Festival.
Winners of the Mind Competitions (see below) which were held on 14 April 2012 at UTAR Petaling Jaya Campus and as a prelude to the Mind Festival received their awards at the launching ceremony, which was attended by more than 600 people.
Winners of the Mind Competitions posing with Dato’ Sri Dr Ng and Tun Dr Ling
"This is probably my third or fourth time attending this Festival. It is interesting and has helped me to help my students", said SMK Hillcrest counsellor Mageswary Arumugam. Smiling brightly, her student Gan I-Ning said, "This is my SPM year and also my first time attending this event. I hope to learn skills, such as mind-mapping that will help me revise better. I am also excited for the games later."
Gan and Mageswary at the launch
The Festival of the Mind aims to imprint the importance of mental literacy among the general public and to create awareness about the human mind and ways of tapping into and developing one's brain power. It also aims to introduce and to promote various techniques and skills pertaining to the improvement of mental literacy, such as memory skill, creativity, and thinking skills.
A series of talks, workshops and exhibitions were held during the festival. Public talks on Sudoku, mind mapping and memory improvement were delivered by experts and professionals.
The Festival will also be held at UTAR Perak Campus in Kampar, Perak on 23 and 24 June 2012.
This annual festival has attracted favourable response from all segments of society, from young school-going children to working adults and retirees since its inaugural launch in 2007.
