MALAYSIAN COMPUTATIONAL LINGUISTICS OLYMPIAD
"Conquer the world with the power of language"
What is MyCLO?
Malaysian Computational Linguistics Olympiad (MyCLO) is an annual national contest in the subject of computational linguistics. MyCLO started its first competition in the year of 2018. Computational Linguistic is a relatively new field in Malaysia, thus, the effort to introduce Malaysian Computational Linguistics Olympiad to the mass.
MyCLO is part of the selection process for the Malaysian team to the Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad (APLO) and International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL).
Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad (APLO) is a regional linguistics olympiad with the aim of escalating attention to language and linguistics in the Asia Pacific region. It is similar to the International Linguistics Olympiad in spirit, and the nature and style of the problems. The APLO began in 2019 and is held in March every year. APLO is not a contest where students from different countries physically meet in one place to participate in the competitions. Instead, all contestants will compete in their home country on the same day.
IOL is an annual international championship for linguistics for secondary school and pre-university students. The IOL has its roots in linguistic competitions that was held in Soviet Union since the 1960s. The IOL was started in 2003, with the first edition being held in Bulgaria. As of 2021, 51 countries have been actively involved in IOL.
All gold award winners of MyCLO will be selected to attend the national training camp and represent Malaysia in APLO. Top four students with the highest mark of the mid test of the camp and APLO will represent Malaysia in the IOL.
Who Can Participate?
- All Language Explorer Competition top scorers will be invited to join MYCLO.
Objectives
- To introduce the interesting field of linguistics among students
- To enhance the students computational thinking abilities
- To expose students on the various opportunities in the world of linguistics
Advantages
- Generate students interest in language
- Enhance student creative and critical thinking skills
- Expose students to the skills of solving puzzles and problems creatively
- Provides the opportunity to attend training camp and represent Malaysia in IOL
Stages
Malaysian Computational Linguistics Olympiad (MyCLO)
Selection Camp
National Training Camp
Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad (APLO)
International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL)
Malaysian Team in the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) 2025 @ TAIPEI, TAIWAN
KUALA LUMPUR, 28 July 2025 – Malaysia proudly showcased its linguistic talent on the global stage at the 22nd International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL), held from 20–27 July 2025 at National Taiwan University (NTU) in Taipei, Taiwan.
This year’s competition gathered 227 contestants in 57 teams from 42 countries and territories, all tackling challenging linguistic puzzles that demanded logic, creativity, and analytical precision.
The Malaysian delegation was led by Team Leader Nadiah Suboh, with Observer Muhammad Hakim Kamal, and supported by Anis Shahira Hadis and Nur’Ain Syafiqah Bibit from ArdentEdu. Representing Malaysia with distinction were:
Ang Xing Yi – Competitor
🌟 Teh Wei Jun – Competitor
🌟 Beh Jie Han – Competitor
🌟 Tan Hong Zher – Competitor
The Journey to IOL 2025
The team’s path to Taipei began months earlier with dedicated preparation under the guidance of Ms. Debbie Chow and Mr. Yeoh Zi Song. Training commenced on 26 June 2025 with intensive assignments designed to sharpen problem-solving and analytical skills. From 4–6 April 2025, the team attended a three-day training camp at Universiti Malaya to refine contest strategies. Their final stage of preparation was participation in the Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad (APLO) from 7–13 July 2025, where they gained valuable regional-level experience.
A Week at National Taiwan University
At NTU, the students competed in a six-hour individual contest and a four-hour team contest, tackling intricate problems featuring rare languages, ancient scripts, and complex logical systems. Beyond the competition, they attended expert-led workshops and seminars, and participated in cultural excursions to Taipei’s temples, museums, and markets, broadening both their knowledge and friendships.
Pride for the Nation
While Malaysia did not secure a medal, the experience gained at IOL 2025 has set a strong foundation for future participants — inspiring the next generation of young Malaysian linguists to aim higher on the world stage.
Malaysian Team in the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) 2023 @ BANSKO, BULGARIA
Thirteen of the best students from the Malaysian Computational Linguistics Olympiad (MyCLO) participated in the 5th Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad (APLO) held on April 9, 2023, in Kuala Lumpur. APLO witnessed 1 Silver, 4 Bronze, and 3 Honorable Mention awards for Malaysia.
Four of the best students from APLO were selected to participate in the 20th International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL), which took place from July 22 to 29, 2023, in the beautiful town of Bansko, Bulgaria. The Malaysian team representatives for IOL 2023 were Ho Janson, Lim Ming Wen, Chin Yong Hong, and Tan Hong Zher. They were led by a Team Leader from ArdentEdu, Mrs. Anis Shahira Binti Hadis. The Olympiad was participated in by 205 contestants from 52 teams representing 38 countries.
The jury of IOL awarded Honorable Mention certificates to two of our students, Lim Ming Wen and Ho Janson, along with the other winners. It is a testament to their outstanding performance on the international stage. Congratulations to all members of the team!
