“GIFTED is a term used to refer to people who are born with a certain attribute, hence they are natural-born geniuses,” says Dr Noriah Mohd Ishak, the director of the PERMATA pintar programme.
PERMATA nurtures gifted children to reach their full potential. So what is the programme all about and the disposition of gifted children? Explains Dr Noriah, “Geniuses are people who have skills that their peers have yet to develop. Even toddlers, if you watch closely, they shine out. They walk and talk faster. Basically, they mature faster and are able to absorb things earlier. They are more observant and already do things their peers have yet to discover. For example, a two-year-old gifted child thinks and acts like a five-year-old.” Talents however can be harnessed through vigorous training and perseverance. “You call someone gifted when he or she can enter the university at a very young age, and talented when he or she does really well after much guidance and educating.” A person can be talented in many things but geniuses, however, are genetically linked. There is a chance that 48-70 per cent of genius genes are inherited from the parents. “Despite the fact that they are geniuses, their potential cannot be fully tapped if not nurtured. This is what PERMATA is doing, providing the right environment and using the correct teaching methods specially designed for gifted children. Often, they are ‘hidden’ and it’s just a matter of finding and nurturing them.” Everything started from Adi Putra, the Mathematics prodigy. After realising the potential of having more gifted children like Adi in Malaysia, and after much planning, PERMATA was born. To be part of the PERMATA programme, you have to go through three tests. The first is an online IQ test, second is a computerised test run at designated centres and the third test is the Math and Science Competency Camp. The camp runs for three days where the whole batch is separated into groups and they undergo many tests. PERMATA also offers holiday camps for children aged 9 to 15 and a boarding school for 16-year-olds. To attend the school, one has to pass all three tests, while to join the camp the first two tests have to be successfully completed.
The school offers the normal school syllabus and advanced placement preparation classes for tests like IELTS and TOEFL. Students in the PERMATA school also learn interesting subjects like biotechnology, green technology, robotics, math & games technology, flight science, text and imaging, algebra, horse riding, golf and many more. Currently, there are 116 students attending PERMATA school.
According to Dr Noriah, gifted children are very competitive and are perfectionists. They challenge themselves. They are also emotional. Having that said, it doesn’t mean that they throw tantrums, it is just that they question, sometimes too much. Dr Noriah also said that geniuses mostly think out of the box but their academic positions in school are mostly average due to low academic talent. Owing to Malaysia’s current position in science and technology development, these gifted children may be the answer. The PERMATA children contribute to Malaysia’s R&D in science and technology by developing solar farms in biotechnology. They learn how to separate chromosomes from as early as 13 years, and learn advanced robotics, humanoid technology and cell divisions. It is hoped that these students will become future leaders in these particular fields. Dr Noriah hopes that they get more public support because it is good exposure and provides the right nurturing environment for geniuses in Malaysia. She also encourages parents to get their children to take the test because the opportunity is hard to come by. She would like Malaysians to read more and understand the concept and development of born geniuses so we don’t waste more talent in the future. PERMATA will continue to search for and, when they are found, cultivate these gifted children to bring out their full potential to further boost Malaysia’s potential.
Harith Iman Mikhail Fong, 16, Selangor
Read more: Gifted VS talented http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/GiftedVStalented/Article#ixzz1O50K9Kij
