Young Mastermind

While watching “Mastermind India” and “University Challenge” on BBC World, ever wondered where Pakistan comes in the picture with similar competitions? Nowhere! But not anymore. The Asian Management Institute/IQRA University organized a “Young Mastermind” Competition, which spanned for months in the effort to select and crown a Young Mastermind amongst 200 plus students from all over Karachi.

In the first round, the participants sat for a written test in English, Mathematics, IQ and General Knowledge. The top 50 scorers in that test qualified for the next round, which was group discussion. The participants were divided into groups and each was given a different topic to have an open discussion in front of a panel of judges. The 10 people selected, qualified for the grand finale which was held in the Defence View Campus of the Iqra University. All 10 participants had been given a wide range of topics such as science, technology, current affairs, etc. on which they were to be questioned.

On the final day, each of the ten participants was called on the stage in front of a panel of 10 judges. First, they had to give an introductory speech, outlining their plans for the future. Thereafter, each of the judges asked the participant a question relating to the topics given. All participants were to be judged on the relevancy of their answers, debating qualities as well as personality and grooming.

In the end, Madiha Saeed of DHA Degree College for Women was awarded the title of “Young Mastermind.” Ayesha Zehra Ali of Foundation Public School A’Level was given the second position while the third place went to Unaiza Ahsan, also of Foundation Public School A’Level. All the ten participants received some very lavish prizes sponsored by LG and National Foods.