15-16 March 2017 - Congratulations are in order for Ms. Yong Ying Mei, the Director of Mandarin Language and Culture Centre (MLCC) and Ms. Cheng Ching Yee, a Mandarin language teacher whom have successfully bagged the gold medal for their research product, Mandarin For All: Book 1, at the Creation, Innovation, Technology & Research Exposition (CITREX) 2017. The much anticipated annual event was held at the Sports Complex, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP).

CITREX’s exhibitions were evaluated by two invited judges from the Research & Innovation Department UMP. The evaluation elements included novelty of innovation, usefulness of innovation, level of innovation, commercial value and presentation.

The Director of MLCC, Yong Ying Mei, said that the book was copyrighted in a form of hard copy and an e-book for different types of learners. The hard copy book is imprinted with audio QR codes suitable for read & write learners and auditory learners, while the e-book is produced for the kinesthetic learners.

By Yong Ying Mei

Head of PALAPES LAUT UMP, Fahmi began his speech by sharing effectiveness in learning mathematics by memorizing the multiple in Mandarin and his ambition to become a navy and serve the country. He also expressed his gratitude to his beloved mother who inspired him in learning Mandarin. The touching content of Fahmi’s speech gave a strong emotional appeal to the judges and audience. As for the talent show, Fahmi demonstrated eye-catching gestures by juggling the Chinese diabolo. Those outstanding performances had gained him the second place in the competition.

Huda Binti Abdul Halim Toh Seng Onn, Nur Syaheera Binti Sulaiman and Nuur Amalina Syahida Binti Md Radzi received the consolation prizes.

The Chinese Bridge Competition was the world’s Chinese Proficiency contest event sponsored and coordinated by Headquarters of Confucius Institute, China. The competition was held yearly at 80 countries in the world. In Malaysia, Kong Zi Institute, University of Malaya was responsible for selecting a Malaysian representative to participate in the 16th Chinese Bridge Competition for Foreign College Students.

The competition consisted of a series of tests including public speech, Q&A session and Chinese art talent show. All candidates were required to give speeches on “Dreams enlighten the Future” in Mandarin. UMP representatives managed to deliver them with excellent accuracy, fluency and body language to score the highest marks. In the talent show, UMP representative performed difference talent show such as Chinese dance, sang Chinese songs, juggling Chinese diabolo and performed Chinese Kongfu.

The greatest compliment should be accorded to all Mandarin teachers, Ms Yong Ying Mei and Ms Cheng Ching Yee; Volunteer Language Teachers, Ms Shao Zhenglan, Ms Zhang Weiqing and Ms Ju Meng for their effort in training and preparing UMP candidates for this event.

Written by Cheng Ching Yee