GEORGE TOWN (July 15, 2010): A retired semiconductor engineer from Penang has become the only person

Jayaram with his certificate of appreciation.

outside of Europe and the United States to be selected for Mensa International’s pilot Leadership Programme.

Jayaram Menon, 58, is one of the seven Mensa members in the world to be chosen for the programme. The others are from the US and Europe (three each).

“I feel very fortunate and honoured to be chosen to undertake the international programme,” he said.

In recognition of his achievement, the state government presented him with a RM500 award and a certificate of appreciation.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who presented the certificate and cash to Jayaram, said it is a proud moment for Penang that Jayaram was chosen from so many countries outside of Europe and the US. Jayaram, who worked at Renesas Semiconductor Sdn Bhd before he retired two years ago, is Malaysian Mensa Penang branch chairman.

He is actively involved in team building and treasure hunt activities.

He was invited to sit in at the Penang Science council (PSC) Task Force meeting at Lim’s office on Thursday due to his vast experience in the science and technology field.

“I have organised Puzzler’s Challenges for the public, specifically for schools, to train students to solve mathematics or any subject-related problems in a more challenging way,” he said.

He said Penang Mensa is actively getting more students involved in such activities to help them think out of the box.

Mensa is a society for people whose IQ is 148 and above. – theSun