The Three Minutes Thesis (3MT) Competition 2024, held virtually through Webex on May 15th, 2024, at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), was a spectacular success, showcasing the remarkable research and communication skills of UTM’s postgraduate students. This year’s competition brought together 73 postgraduate students from diverse academic disciplines, each delivering compelling three-minute presentations on their research.
The primary objectives of the competition were to enhance participants’ research communication skills, promote interdisciplinary understanding, and foster public engagement with academic research. The event was a testament to the dedication and talent of UTM’s students and the supportive academic environment fostered by the university.
To help participants prepare for their presentations, UTM provided a series of webinars open to all. On March 26th, 2024, Dr. Nor Ain Husein, the National 3MT Champion of 2015, conducted a webinar titled ‘How to Win Your Audience’, which ran from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This session offered invaluable tips on engaging with an audience effectively. The following day, Asraful Syifaa’ Ahmad hosted ‘Sculpting Science: Video Editing Tips for Your 3MT Presentation’, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., providing essential video editing techniques to enhance the quality of the presentations. On March 28th, Dr. Muhammad Hariz Asraf presented ‘From Conference to Thesis: A Guide to Engaging Presentations’, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, which focused on creating impactful and engaging presentations.
One of the most significant outcomes of the competition was the noticeable improvement in participants’ ability to convey complex research concepts in a clear and engaging manner. Students reported gaining valuable insights into how to tailor their messages for a non-specialist audience, an essential skill for both academic and professional success. The event successfully promoted an appreciation for research across different fields, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among the participants. Participants also demonstrated increased confidence in their public speaking abilities. The experience of presenting under time constraints and receiving immediate feedback from the judges was invaluable.
The competition followed a structured timeline, starting with registration from March 14th to the 21st. The first stage of video submissions took place from March 21st to the 31st, followed by a comprehensive review and judging process throughout April. The finalists were announced on April 30th, and they submitted their final videos by the 6th of May. The grand finale, the announcement of winners, and closing ceremony occurred on 14th May 2024.
The grand finale was a thrilling event, concluding with the announcement of winners across three categories. In the Engineering category, Wong Chang Koon from the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT) took first place with his presentation on ‘Gentlegel: Naturally Soothe And Heal Your Wound’. His innovative approach to wound care captivated both the judges and the audience. Meanwhile in the Science & Technology category, Nik Ihtisyam Majdah binti Nik Razi from the Faculty of Science triumped as the first place with her ground-breaking work on ‘Nanobio-Based Reagent-1 (Nbr-1): The Future Biosensor Technology Of Fingerprint’. Her research promises to revolutionize forensic science. As for the Social Science category, Yong Keow Lee from the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities (FSSH) clinched first place with her engaging presentation on ‘Fostering Student Engagement In Synchronous Online Learning At Elementary Levels Through Emotion Contagion Theory’. Her insights into enhancing online education were both timely and impactful.
Throughout the competition, the esteemed panel of judges provided valuable insights and feedback to evaluate the presentations in each category. In the Engineering category, the jury included Dr. Eleen Dayana Md Isa, Dr. Kew Si Na, and Dr. Mohd Saiful Azimi Mahmud. Their expertise and discerning eyes ensured a fair assessment of the innovative research showcased by the participants. For the Science & Technology category, the jury comprised Dr. Aida Rasyidah Azman, Dr. Dina Azleema Mohamed Nor, and Dr. Syed Muhammad Rafy Syed Jaafar. Their deep understanding of scientific concepts and commitment to excellence guided the evaluation process, contributing to the selection of deserving winners. In the Social Science category, the jury members were Ts. Dr. Azlin Abd. Jamil, Prof. Madya Ir. Ts. Dr. Nor Hasrul Akhmal Ngadiman, and Dr. Ain Naadia Mazlan. Their expertise in social sciences and keen insight into research methodologies ensured thorough scrutiny and fair judgment of the presentations.
As the competition reached its pinnacle, the finale jury, comprising of distinguished individuals, meticulously assessed the finalists’ performances to determine the ultimate winners. The finale jury members included Dr Norah binti Md Noor, Dr. Ain Naadia Mazlan, Dr. Mohd Saiful Azimi Mahmud, and Mr. Jay Kannan. Their collective expertise and impartial judgment played a crucial role in selecting the champions of the UTM 3MT Competition 2024.
The success of the 3MT Competition 2024 highlights the need for continued emphasis on communication skills within postgraduate programs. Future competitions can build on this foundation by incorporating additional training resources and expanding outreach efforts to engage a wider audience. Furthermore, fostering an interdisciplinary research culture should be encouraged through similar events and collaborative projects.
In conclusion, the 3MT Competition 2024 not only celebrated the outstanding research conducted by UTM’s graduate students but also reinforced the importance of clear and effective communication in academia. The event’s success is a testament to the dedication and talent of UTM’s students and the university’s commitment to providing a supportive academic environment. We look forward to building on this momentum in future competitions, further enhancing the impact and reach of our research community.
For more information on the event and to view presentations from this year’s finalists, please visit https://sps.utm.my/utm3mt/.
