Main Competitions and Tournaments in Malaysia and Their Definitions
Malaysia hosts a wide range of competitions that encourage the development of academic skills, creativity, sportsmanship, and digital literacy among students. This article introduces some of the most recognized competitions in Malaysia and explains what each one is about.
Academic Competitions in Malaysia
Kangaroo Math Competition
- An international mathematics competition hosted globally and held in Malaysia annually.
- Open to students from primary to pre-university levels.
- Focuses on logical and creative problem-solving rather than standard math curriculum questions.
Essay Competition in Malaysia
- Various organizations, schools, and universities frequently host essay competitions throughout the year.
- Focuses on improving writing, critical thinking, and presentation skills.
- Often themed around national values, environment, innovation, or global issues.
Tapir Science Competition
- A national science knowledge contest for Malaysian students.
- Named after the Malayan Tapir, symbolizing Malaysia’s natural heritage.
- Encourages scientific reasoning and curiosity through structured quizzes and activities.
Kancil Science Competition
- A science-based challenge similar to Tapir Science but with broader coverage of school-level science concepts.
- Open to primary and secondary students.
- Promotes application of concepts to real-world scientific scenarios.
Cambridge Rethink Essay Competition
- An international essay challenge organized with contributions from Malaysian schools.
- Encourages students to rethink global issues from academic and ethical perspectives.
- Focuses on originality, critical analysis, and clarity of ideas.
Music Competition
Chopin Piano Competition
- A prestigious classical piano competition inspired by composer Frédéric Chopin.
- Held in various countries including Malaysia to nurture classical music talent.
- Participants perform Chopin’s compositions to showcase technique and emotional expression.
Student Activity & Recognition
Info PAJSK
- PAJSK stands for “Pentaksiran Aktiviti Jasmani, Sukan dan Kokurikulum.”
- It is a co-curricular assessment system used in Malaysian schools.
- Records student involvement in sports, clubs, competitions, leadership, and uniformed bodies for school-leaving certificates.
Sports Tournaments in Malaysia
Badminton Tournament Malaysia
- Malaysia hosts several major badminton events, including the Malaysia Open and National Junior Championships.
- Badminton is one of the most popular sports in Malaysia with strong international representation.
- Provides pathways from school-level competitions to national selection.
Tennis Tournament Malaysia
- Various tennis tournaments exist, including school-level circuits and the Malaysian Open (when hosted).
- Encourages physical fitness, discipline, and competitive sportsmanship.
- Supported by the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM).
E-Sports and Digital Learning Competitions
Dota 2 Tournament
- Dota 2 tournaments are widely held in Malaysia at campus, community, and professional e-sports levels.
- Malaysia has a strong presence in global e-sports, producing internationally recognized players.
- Enhances teamwork, strategic planning, and fast decision-making skills.
Minecraft Education Challenge Malaysia
- Uses Minecraft Education Edition to promote creativity, teamwork, coding, and problem-solving.
- Usually hosted by schools or education partners to support STEM learning.
- Students build solutions in a virtual world, often linked to Malaysian or global sustainability themes.