Origin of the Association

 In marking the inception of Pan Pacific Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association, the first abacus contest would soon be staged in Taipei, Taiwan in August of 1999.  Recalling five years ago, traveling with Mr. Yang Cheng-yen and Mr. Kuo Tsuen-sheng to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia meeting with two gentlemen from the newly launched I.M.A. to go over staging of roaming tours and teaching faculty presentations.  As the meetings often went into wee hours of the night, it is rather amazing that the entourage has settled in for rounds of discussions that lasted for three days, despite having been in the resort paradise of the Sky Plateau.  Three Malaysian directors, Mr. Ronnie Chong, Mr. Jeffrey Yong, and Mr. Gong Chien-yi and their wives have not only participated the entire rounds of discussions but also played host in attending to our meal service.  At last, as the case is hammered, we remain fuzzy as to what the scenic attraction was about at Sky Plateau upon returning to downtown Kuala Lumpur.  Now, I.M.A. is not only the leader of the sector in Malaysia but we also wish to submit our congratulations for its organized external development to advance to a higher ground.

Mr. Tenny Ho and Mr. and Mrs. Francis Lee of Canada have come into contact with abacus and mental arithmetic enterprise some two, three years ago and have mastered the nearly impossible mission of staging five to six presentations in a short three-month span in the far away in Toronto, drawing close to 200 interested student.  Which is not only quite beyond what they have anticipated but the venture has further fostered great results with an increasing study body to everyone’s delight.

In the meantime, many enthusiasts in Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and such have also followed suit in joining this educational enterprise.  In Thailand, we contacted Mr. Nimnuan Nuamyoo, who travels from afar to seek the advice from instructor Shih Mei-Ling as a young, ambitious entrepreneur of great vision.  Mr. Chen Kit-Fong of Indonesia have sought consultation in nearby Malaysian I.M.A. and moved to start up a venture in Jakarta.  Moreover, a Taiwanese compatriot and instructor Chou Hui-fong who has since immigrated to Brisbane, Australia has also sawed the seeds locally in spreading this educational venture.

Singapore has also made contact through the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce and other peer organizations to contact the local abacus/mental calculation groups.  Unfortunately, due to time constraint, the association is unable to partake the gala event but does anticipate to mirroring the experience with like-minded organizations in Malaysia next year.

The first grand event will soon be staged in Taiwan on August 9^th and 10^th, as we envision that this activity not only serves as a showcase but that everyone can have a good time and taken home with them a fond memory.  Meeting friends through the art of abacus that unites the world also fulfills the highest mission in promoting the abacus and mental arithmetic enterprise.  Let us look forward to more great events to come year after year.