【WAAMA Secretariat Gao Jiaqi Reported】“Dear Secretariat of the WAAMA, we are pleased to inform you that we have successfully conducted the 2nd WAAMA International Grading Examination on Sunday, January 26, 2025. This year it includes approximately 400 papers among multiple grades. Attached are the application form for the appraisal certificate, press release, and photos. Looking forward to your reply.”

This is an email received by the Secretariat of WAAMA from its member unit "IKEN CHILD SKILLS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING CENTRE LLC., DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES" (hereinafter referred to as IKEN Training Center) on February 7th of this year. IKEN Training Center, established in 2015 and joined the WAAMA in 2023, is WAAMA’s first UAE member unit, which has been maintaining close contact with the Secretariat of the WAAMA.

In order to cooperate with the "WAAMA Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Appraisal Method (Trial)" passed in 2019, and to promote the international brand construction of the WAAMA’s Appraisal of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic by doing a good job in the management of appraisal certificate issuance, the WAAMA held the Second Meeting of its Fifth Council in June 2020, and passed and issued the "Special Scheme for Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Certificate of WAAMA" (hereinafter referred to as the "Special Scheme").

According to the "Special Scheme", member units of the WAAMA (excluding members of the Chinese Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association) can apply to participate in the plan. The Secretariat of the WAAMA provides electronic test papers and paper certificates, and participating units are responsible for organizing the appraisal process, printing and issuing certificates, and submitting relevant materials to the Secretariat of the WAAMA.

In November 2023, IKEN Training Center held the 1st WAAMA International Grading Examination. A total of 158 student-times from teaching centers such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Fujairah participated, of which 142 student-times passed the certification; In January 2025, it held the 2nd WAAMA International Grading Examination again, with 353 student-times participated, of which 317 passed the appraisal.

On the certificate issuance list submitted by IKEN Training Center, the names, genders, dates of birth, appraisal dates, appraisal items, appraisal levels, certificate numbers, all these information of the students participating in the appraisal are displayed one by one. The clear information of nearly 500 pieces reflects the rigorous and meticulous work attitude of IKEN Training Center, as well as its enthusiasm and dedication to promoting the appraisal work of the WAAMA.

Mr. Sreenevas KM Iyengar, Global Education Director of IKEN Training Center, said, "We are proud of the students who participated in the Grading Examination. Their enthusiasm and dedication to improving abacus and mental arithmetic skills are admirable." He stated that thanks to the unwavering support and guidance of the WAAMA, they will continue to strive to create high-quality abacus and mental arithmetic education.

Since its launch in 2020, the Special Scheme has attracted 8 member units from countries and regions including Australia, Hong Kong, China, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates, and has issued a total of 3650 certificates. The successful promotion and standardized implementation of the "Special Scheme" has promoted the popularization process of the appraisal work of the WAAMA, strengthened the communication and contact between the WAAMA and its member units, and accumulated useful experience for the education and enlightenment of abacus and mental arithmetic. The WAAMA welcomes more member units to join the Special Scheme for appraisal certificates. Relevant appraisal methods and certificate schemes can be found in the "Appraisal" section of the WAAMA’s official website.