The 80,000-word Three Minute Thesis Challenge
KUCHING: Postgraduate students of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus are taking on the challenge of presenting their 80,000-word thesis in under three minutes.
Seven research students will present their thesis in a language appropriate for a non- specialist audience at the university’s third Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, which will be held on September 20.
Subjects to be presented include business, biotechnology, computer science, and engineering.
Topics which include making tunneling safer, attracting foreign medical tourists to Malaysia, and using bacteria from Sarawak’s caves to strengthen soil, will make for an interesting and informative afternoon for the audience.
The Three Minute Thesis ( 3MT) competition first started in Australia in 2008, and has gained popularity around the world, as universities work to help postgraduate research students develop their academic, communication and presentation skills.
According to Dr. Heidi Collins, coordinator for Swinburne Sarawak’s research education program, to develop as a researcher requires more than just learning the technical skill of the discipline.
“A postgraduate student is also required to develop personal networks, collaborate, discuss and share ideas; therefore the need to acquire strong communication skill, both written and oral,” she explained.
The competition is open to members of the public. It will be held at the university’s Lecture Theatre, commencing at 3pm.
At the end of the competition, members of the audience will vote for the winner of the “People’s Choice Award.”
Prizes include travel grants and cash, to enable the winners to present their research at international conferences.
The first 3MT competition was held at the University of Queensland with 160 Higher Degree research students. Since then, 3MT competitions are held in over 600 universities and institutions across 59 countries across the world.
For more information, contact Paulina Michael, Communications Officer,
Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Jalan Simpang Tiga, Kuching, at 082- 415 353/ Fax: 082- 428 353 /
Email: pmichael@ swinburne.edu.my