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The Olympiad

Malaysian Computational Linguistics Olympiad

“Conquer the world with the power of language”

Next international contest IOL 2027 · Bangkok · 21–28 July 2027

Introduction

What is MyCLO?

The Malaysian Computational Linguistics Olympiad (MyCLO) is an annual national contest in computational linguistics, first held in 2018. Computational linguistics is still a relatively new field in Malaysia, and MyCLO was established to introduce it to Malaysian students.

MyCLO is part of the selection process for the Malaysian team to the Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad (APLO) and the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL).

APLO is a regional linguistics olympiad aimed at raising the profile of language and linguistics across the Asia Pacific region. It is similar to the IOL in spirit and in the nature and style of its problems. APLO began in 2019 and is held every March. Contestants do not travel to a single venue — all contestants sit the contest in their home country on the same day.

The IOL is an annual international championship in linguistics for secondary school and pre-university students. It has its roots in linguistic competitions held in the Soviet Union from the 1960s onwards. The first IOL took place in Bulgaria in 2003. The IOL is held annually and regularly brings together more than 40 countries and territories.

The top 15 students from MyCLO will represent Malaysia at APLO 2027. The top 4 students from APLO 2027 will be invited to the National Training Camp, and all 4 will form the Malaysian team at the 24th International Linguistics Olympiad in Bangkok, Thailand, from 21 to 28 July 2027.

The Olympiad

Who Can Participate

First round — Language Explorer Competition
Open to all primary, secondary and pre-university students in Malaysia.
Second round — MyCLO
Open to qualifiers from the first round: the top 10% of contestants in the secondary category.
National team
Only secondary or pre-university students who have not started tertiary studies are eligible under IOL Regulations.
The Route

The Selection Process

  1. Language Explorer Competition

    An annual, online national school-level competition introducing language and linguistics to primary, secondary and pre-university students in Malaysia.

  2. Malaysian Computational Linguistics Olympiad

    The top 10% of the secondary category in the Language Explorer Competition qualify for MyCLO.

  3. Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad

    The top 15 contestants in MyCLO qualify for APLO 2027.

  4. National Training Camp

    The top 4 contestants in APLO 2027 are selected for the National Training Camp.

  5. International Linguistics Olympiad

    All 4 contestants from the National Training Camp form the Malaysian delegation to IOL 2027 in Bangkok, Thailand, 21–28 July 2027.

IOL 2027 Cycle

Key Dates

Stage Date Format
First round — Language Explorer Competition 18 October 2026 Online · 1 hour 30 minutes · 5 subjective questions
First round results November 2026 Published on myclo.my
Second round — MyCLO To be announced To be announced
APLO 2027 To be announced Online, held in Malaysia
National Training Camp To be announced Online and physical sessions
IOL 2027 — Bangkok, Thailand 21–28 July 2027 International contest

This page is updated as further details are confirmed.

What It Takes

Selection Criteria and Costs

How the national team is selected

  • The top 10% of students in the secondary category of the Language Explorer Competition qualify for MyCLO.
  • The top 15 contestants in MyCLO qualify for APLO 2027.
  • The top 4 contestants in APLO 2027 are invited to the National Training Camp.
  • All 4 contestants from the National Training Camp form the Malaysian delegation to IOL 2027.

These criteria remain published on this page until the conclusion of IOL 2027 in July 2027.

MyCLO, APLO and the training camp

Selected students participate in MyCLO, APLO and the National Training Camp free of charge.

International Linguistics Olympiad

Depending on available funding, students may be required to partially or fully cover the costs of participating in the IOL, such as registration fees and flight tickets.

Registration fees for the first round are listed on the Language Explorer Competition page. The information above applies to the IOL 2027 selection cycle and remains published until the conclusion of IOL 2027 in July 2027.

Why Take Part

Objectives and Advantages

Objectives

  • Introduce students to the field of linguistics
  • Enhance students’ computational thinking abilities
  • Expose students to opportunities in the world of linguistics

Advantages

  • Builds interest in language
  • Develops creative and critical thinking
  • Teaches students to solve puzzles and problems creatively
  • Opens a path to the training camp and to representing Malaysia at the IOL
The Teams

MyCLO and IOL faces

Malaysian team at IOL 2025 in Taipei Malaysian contestants during the IOL 2025 contest Malaysian delegation at National Taiwan University IOL 2025 opening ceremony Malaysian team on an IOL 2025 cultural excursion Malaysian students at an IOL 2025 workshop Students sitting the MyCLO contest MyCLO contestants at work Malaysian team at IOL 2023 in Bansko Malaysian delegation at a previous IOL
On the World Stage

Malaysia at the IOL

IOL 2026 Bucharest, Romania

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 August 2026 — Malaysia completed its participation in the 23rd International Linguistics Olympiad, held in Bucharest, Romania. Over fourteen days abroad, the Malaysian contestants worked through an intensive programme of training and competed alongside some of the strongest young linguists in the world.

Representing Malaysia were Ho Janson, Tan Hong Zher, Kienan Pellegrino Alexander and Jadon Lim Hao En.

Results

  • Ho Janson — Honourable Mention
  • Tan Hong Zher — Certificate of Participation
  • Kienan Pellegrino Alexander — Certificate of Participation
  • Jadon Lim Hao En — Certificate of Participation

Congratulations to all four contestants on the spirit, resilience and commitment they showed in representing Malaysia on the international stage. We hope the experience gained in Bucharest inspires them to keep striving, and opens further opportunities in the years ahead.

The team departed Bucharest on 2 August 2026 and arrived at KLIA Terminal 1 at around 9.00 am Malaysian time on 3 August 2026.

IOL 2025 Taipei, Taiwan

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 July 2025 — Malaysia competed at the 22nd International Linguistics Olympiad, held from 20 to 27 July 2025 at National Taiwan University in Taipei. The contest gathered 227 contestants in 57 teams from 42 countries and territories, all tackling linguistic puzzles demanding logic, creativity and analytical precision.

The Malaysian delegation was led by Team Leader Nadiah Suboh, with Observer Muhammad Hakim Kamal, supported by Anis Shahira Hadis and Nur'Ain Syafiqah Bibit from ArdentEdu. Representing Malaysia were Ang Xing Yi, Teh Wei Jun, Beh Jie Han and Tan Hong Zher.

The journey to IOL 2025

Preparation began months earlier 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 to 6 April 2025 the team attended a three-day training camp at Universiti Malaya to refine contest strategies, and took part in the Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad from 7 to 13 July 2025 for regional-level experience.

A week at National Taiwan University

The students competed in a six-hour individual contest and a four-hour team contest, working through problems featuring rare languages, ancient scripts and complex logical systems. They also attended expert-led workshops and seminars, and joined cultural excursions to Taipei's temples, museums and markets.

Malaysia did not secure a medal, but the experience gained at IOL 2025 laid a foundation for future contestants and for the next generation of young Malaysian linguists.

IOL 2023 Bansko, Bulgaria

Thirteen of the best students from MyCLO took part in the 5th Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad, held on 9 April 2023 in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia came away with one silver, four bronze and three honourable mentions.

Four of the best students from APLO went on to the 20th International Linguistics Olympiad, held from 22 to 29 July 2023 in Bansko, Bulgaria. The Malaysian team was made up of Ho Janson, Lim Ming Wen, Chin Yong Hong and Tan Hong Zher, led by Team Leader Mrs Anis Shahira binti Hadis of ArdentEdu. The Olympiad drew 205 contestants in 52 teams representing 38 countries.

The jury awarded honourable mention certificates to Lim Ming Wen and Ho Janson — a mark of their strong performance on the international stage.

Malaysian team at IOL 2023
Who Runs It

Contact

Ardent Educational Consultants Sdn Bhd is the accredited Local Organiser for Malaysia at the International Linguistics Olympiad, and runs MyCLO as the national olympiad.

For enquiries about the selection process, email [email protected].

Computational Linguistics Competition Secretariat, 100-1 Jalan 2/23A, Off Jalan Genting Klang, Taman Danau Kota, 53300 Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.