The following is a message from George Lane, one of the organizers of the Mental Math International Championship 2018, due to be held on the 12th May in Dubai. George is responsible for the content of the test papers, and has agreed that his statement be shared here:
Good morning/afternoon/evening to all concerned.
I have today (03 May 2018) received (via e-mail) two written complaints regarding the potential for mischief/misconduct at the Dubai International Challenge and its associated events. As I have neither wish nor reason to be anything but completely impartial in any such matters, please see my open statement below such that the records may be put/kept straight.
To begin with, there appears to be a suspicion of influence from/by an organisation known as UCMAS. By my understanding, this acronym stands for the ‘Universal Concept of Mental Arithmetic System’, and is the name taken by a company/organisation which claims to educate people via such a ‘universal’ system which I believe to be based on abacus training.
I write here as the designer and compiler of all of the test papers to be presented publicly in Dubai on May 12th 2018.
I have not personally been involved with any such company or any similar organisation, nor am I aware of any such involvement of any other person in the organising group of the event(s) to be held in Dubai this month. I have not been made aware of any attempt by any such organisation to influence the competitions in Dubai; indeed any such attempt(s) at influencing any aspect(s) of any event(s) under my control would have met – and would still meet – with my complete opposition. I stand entirely for impartiality, honesty, and complete openness.
Whilst it is true that the chief on-site organiser – Swarnalatha Venakataswaran – has been in negotiations with the ‘Genius Kid’ organisation in India, this is because this organisation is supplying the medals for the events concerned. There is to be no influence from this or any other organisation regarding the conduct or the outcome of any event or any part thereof. I must also say at this point that I have had communications with representatives of these people myself, and I have seen no reason to suspect any potential misdeeds by this or any other group.
There will be numerous persons (invigilators) present during the proceedings in Dubai on May 12th 2018, each of whom is and will be independent of any potentially influential group, company or corporation. I shall personally be taking control of the marking procedures for each of the contests being undertaken; this will be managed via a ‘tandem’ process in which at least two people will be jointly and severally responsible for the marking of each individual test paper. This is a procedure which has long been adopted by the Junior Mental Calculations World Championship, with which I have been very strongly associated for several years. Please note at this point that there is no connection, other than via myself, between the administration of the Junior Mental Calculations World Championship (JMCWC) and that of the Dubai International Challenge (MIC Dubai 2018).
Any person or group wishing to send any independent adjudicator(s) to Dubai to oversee/ensure fairness to all would find such adjudicator(s) to be welcomed without hindrance or opposition. After all; justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.
Dated today 03 May 2018