The 3MT^® is a professional and highly engaging international competition that challenges PhD students to present their research in appropriate language to an intelligent but non-specialist audience in the space of three minutes. 

The competition is based on the premise that the capacity to present a clear, concise and engaging description of their research is an essential skill that all graduate researchers should develop. It also brings our graduate research community together in a spirited and research-focused activity, inspiring them to share their findings with the wider community.

Who can participate

Active PhD (research) students who have successfully passed their proposal defence (*have not gone through the viva-voce) are eligible to participate in 3MT^® competitions at all levels, including the Asia-Pacific 3MT^® competition hosted by University of Queensland.

PhD (coursework and mixed mode), Master’s students and graduates are not eligible to compete.

Category

The three (3) categories for the competition are:

• Engineering
• Science & Technology
• Science Social & Humanities and Business Management

Benefits of Participating

• Learn to communicate your research well.
• Build confidence and improve your public speaking skills.
• Demystify your research in the eyes of the University community and the general public.
• Network and make friends with other graduate researchers.
• Begin building your public profile.
• Communicate your research through print, radio and video media.
• It’s a lot of fun and generates interest in what you're doing.

Grand Final Prizes

There are some great prizes on offer for each category of the UiTM 3MT^® Competition:

• 1^st Prize – RM 750
• 2^nd  Prize – RM 500
• 3^rd Prize - RM 250

Each participant will present their topic using a single, static PowerPoint slide (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description) from the beginning of the oration to the end. Each presentation is limited to three minutes maximum and those who exceed this limit will be disqualified.

Read the competition rules and judging criteria below for further reference.

Competition Rules

• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through speech (timing does not include the 3MT^® title slide and commences from when the competitor starts speaking, not the start of the video).
• Videos must meet the following criteria:
• Filmed on the horizontal
• Filmed on a plain background
• Filmed from a static position
• Filmed from one camera angle
• Contain a 3MT^® title/cover slide
• Contain a single static PowerPoint slide (top right corner/right side/cut to) (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description.
• The 3 minute audio must be continuous – no sound edits or breaks.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted within the video recording.
• No props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment and animate backgrounds) are permitted.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
• Submissions via video format. Files sent in other formats will not be accepted.
• Decisions of the adjudicating panel is final.

Please note:

Competitors will not be judged on video/recording quality or editing capabilities (optional inclusions). Judging will focus on the presentation, ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience, and 3MT^® PowerPoint slide.

After each competition round, competitors have the option to either submit their current presentation or re-record and submit a new presentation for entry into the next round.

Judging Criteria

At every level of the competition, each competitor will be assessed on the three judging criteria listed below. Please note that each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.

Comprehension and content  

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, research significance, results/impact and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?

Engagement and communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialise or generalise their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
• Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?

The Impact of the Research

• Did the research contribute significantly to humankind?
• Did the findings are useful?
• Did the findings are capable of being commercialized?

Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Guidelines

• The 3MT® presentation must represent the original research of the competitor.
• The authors of the 3MT® presentation will retain all rights regarding its use at all times prior to and following the competition except as stated below.
• Due to the nature of the competition, judges, reviewers, staff or the audience will not be asked to agree to or sign non-disclosure statements for any participant.
• All public sessions of the competition, including but not limited to oral presentations, are open to the public at large. Any and all of these public sessions may be broadcast to interested persons through media which may include the Internet.
• Any data or information discussed or divulged in public sessions by entrants should be considered information that will likely enter the public realm, and entrants should not assume any right of confidentiality in any data or information discussed, divulged or presented in these sessions. This means, if your research includes commercial-in-confidence or culturally sensitive material you should think very carefully about how you can present this information. We advise that you discuss your competition entry with the party/ies before entering the 3MT® competition.
• Universiti Teknologi MARA may make photocopies, photographs, videotapes and/or audiotapes of the presentations or material prepared for use in presentation at the 3MT® competition.
• The University may use the materials in any book or other printed materials and any videotape or other medium that it may produce, provided that any profits earned from the sale of such items is used by the University solely to defray the costs of future Competitions.