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

Chris is seen in this video completing 45 arithmetic questions in 1 minute and 16 seconds without error (100% correct) and without a calculator.

Chris’ father (Dr Andy Teh) is a member of Mensa Penang.

Chris attends a kindergarten and abacus training at a local maths centre (where this video was taken). He is now doing the Singapore Primary 2 Maths Curriculum, 3 years ahead of his peers.

In addition, Christopher loves playing chess and beats older kids at the game on a regular basis.

Watch the video!

Jayaram Menon, who is the Malaysia Mensa Penang branch chairman, said those attending the programme would ex change know­ledge in the leadership field.

“We are also required to participate in seminars and present paper,” he said.

Mensa, founded in Britain in 1946, is the largest and oldest high intelligence quotient (IQ) society in the world.

It currently has around 11,000 members in 100 countries.

This news clip appeared in The Star, Friday 16 July 2010.   Congrats to Jay!