Organized by Iqra Intelligence Mental Calculations Academy
Arab American University hosted the National Mental Calculations Competition organized by Iqra Intelligence Mental Account Academy (IMA) under the Ministry of Higher Education’s supervision. 150 child from various centers in West Bank participated, the competition coincided with another held in Gaza Strip where 500 Childs from Gaza’s Intelligence Mental Account centers.
From the contest
AAUP Faculty of Science Dean & Head of Mathematics Department Dr. Abdul Halim Ziqan, General Director for Intelligence Mental Academy Dr. Mohammad Hamarsheh, Ministry of Higher Education Representative Dr. Jihad Nazzal, and Director of Iqra Intelligence Mental Calculations Academy in Jenin Dr. Rasha Hamarsheh and a number of center’s teachers and directors all attended the competition.
In the opening session, Dean of the Faculty of Science Dr. Ziqan transferred University President Dr. Ali Zeidan Abu Zuhri regards, pointing that hosting such activities empower interacting with local community and its institutions, explaining that AAUP seeks to improve the students’ level, shape their talents and empower their self- confidence.
As for Ministry of Higher Education Representative Dr. Jihad Nazzal he complimented Arab American University for its role, pointing that since the Palestinian Government handled Educational Affairs, giving it its attention to develop it and keep it up to date, pointing that school enrollment ratio became 100% and illiteracy ratio dropped from 12 to 0%, stressing that the ministry has licensed cultural centers, 250 centers, where children take professional and developmental courses. As for calculations program adopted by the ministry in 2011 it had lion's share of attention as it aims to develop & improve children abilities, pointing that Palestine has achieved international awards in this program.
General Director for Intelligence Mental Calculations in the West Bank Dr. Mohammad Hamarsheh thanked AAUP for hosting the National Competition, explaining the program where he pointed that it’s educational and includes number of experiences, activities and trainings provided through courses, mediums and methods to enable Childs to make calculations quickly using Chinese abacus. The program has 10 levels, each takes three months with a slight difference from one child to another according to the Childs ability. After every level the child gets two certificates one from the Ministry of Education and the other from Malaysian group.
After the opening, competitor children divided into groups based on age from 4-12 years, the competition consists of 200 questions and who answers more questions in 10 minutes wins.
Participant kids and their families took a tour in campus to discover its faculties and facilities, both Samah Dwahi and Ra’ed Abu Baker from AAUP PR accompanied them in the tour.
By the end, the top 3 winners from each of the 5 ages groups received their prizes, the child Ahmad Ayman Nashwyeh from Life Skills Center for Mental Intelligence Calculations in Hebron solved 187 questions. Also the child Mahmoud Nael Tomma from National Center for Educational Services in Nablus solved 181 questions.
