Ling bowled over after meeting ‘human calculator’
Invites Yaashwin to showcase skill at festival to promote mental literacy
The Malaysia Festival of the Mind (MFotM) aims to develop thinking, memory, creativity and introduce various memory techniques and skills through empowerment of the mind, says Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.
The Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) chairman said a healthy mind has a multitude of uses and should be cherished.
“Mind-related skills such as memory, thinking and speed reading are important for people of all ages,” he said at a press conference at the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Sungai Long campus yesterday.
Impressed with Yaashwin Sarawanan’s talent and skill with numbers, Ling met and invited the student to take part in MFotM.
“I will try my best to attend the competition,” said Yaashwin, 15, who is a student of SM Bandar Tun Hussein Onn 2.
Yaashwin known as the “human calculator” is one of two from Malaysia who have made it to the finals of Asia’s Got Talent
Season Three.
Homegrown female vocal group Nama is also in the finals.
Ling said MMLM, UTAR and Tunku Abdul Rahman University College are organising the 15th MFotM.
He urged the public to take part in the festival as there were concerns that mental literacy, together with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education were declining at a rapid pace.
He said the festival would also assist in raising awareness on the intellectual resources needed for the nation’s growth, development and progress.
The festival will be held on April 13 from 9am to 5.30pm at UTAR’s Sungai Long campus.
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