UAE students win top awards at international math competition in Malaysia

Students from the UAE did the country proud at the recently held 23rd UCMAS International Competition 2018 winning top awards among approximately 3000 competitors from 40 countries across the world. The event, which was held in Selangor, Malaysia, saw participation of 30 UAE students, aged between 7 and 12, all of whom bagged big prizes in the mental math visual and listening competitions categorised in eight different levels. The awardees included four Emiratis, while Indians, Jordanians, Iraqis, Syrian, Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis, among others, made up the rest of the group.

Nine-year-old Indian student Archita Pal particularly stood out for winning the championship in the visual category at the Intermediate level, answering no less than 200 very challenging math questions in a matter of just eight minutes. Her sister Asmita Pal bagged the 1st Runner up award in the Grand level category, one of the most challenging levels. Notable mention should also be made of nine-year old Emirati girl Maha Omar Saleh Al Sarkal who achieved 3rd position among hundreds of students. The other 27 students also won 1st, 2nd and 3rd Runners up in various levels.

UCMAS is one of the leading, internationally acclaimed skill and mental development programme promoting the Universal Concept of Mental Arithmetic System designed for children between 6 and 12 years of age. The programme offers various levels in which students explore their speed accuracy, concentration and reasoning skills.

Commenting on the win, Mrs. V.G. Soundari Raj, Managing Director, UCMAS UAE, said: “This resounding win by UAE students reflects the high standard of education offered in the country. The fact that we won 30 out of just about 250 awards that were distributed among over 3000 students goes to show the commitment of our students to give their best and emerge as winners. These ‘human calculators’ are the future of the UAE, and we are confident that through the UCMAS programme we are further honing their skills. I would like to offer my best wishes to all the participants and their parents on this glorious success”.

Universal Concept of Mental Arithmetic System (UCMAS) was introduced in the UAE in 2003 and is now being taught in over 30 different centres across the UAE. Taught in more than 80 countries, the programme originated in Malaysia.