Three Minute Thesis (3MT) @ Universiti Sains Malaysia

  • Home
  • Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

  • Rules

    The USM 3MT competition is open to:

    1. All active USM PhD students; and
    2. Must be in the second year of study and above. Those who have been endorsed as GRADUATED either before/during the competition are automatically disqualified. Qualified participants will be notified by IPS. Disclaimer:  IPS has the right to shortlist the participants.
    3. Presentations are limited to 3 minutes and participants exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
    4. Presentations are considered to have commenced when a participants starts their presentation through speech (timing does not include the 3MT title slide and commences from when the participants starts speaking, not the start of the video).
    5. A single static slide is permitted in the presentation (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description). This slide must be made visible continously throughout the presentation.
    6. The 3-minute audio must be continuous - no sound edits or breaks.
    7. No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment and animated backgrounds) are permitted within the recording. Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
    8. No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted within the video recording.
    9. The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
    10. Entries submitted for final adjudication are to be submitted from the School/Centre/Institute to 3MT Event Coordinator in IPS. Participants should not submit their videos directly to 3MT Coordinator.

    NOTES: School/Centre/Institute are highly encouraged to held a selection process before submitting candidates for the competition. School/Centre/Institute can send a maximum of 3 participations.

  • Video Criteria

    Videos must meet the following criteria:

    • Filmed on the horizontal (landscape).
    • Filmed on a plain background.
    • Filmed from a static position.
    • Filmed from one camera angle.
    • Contains a one-page 3MT PowerPoint slide (top right corner/right side/cut to).
    • Video format is in MP4 format. Click the following link for an example: https://youtu.be/dfxZqvhUKDA 
  • Slide Criteria

    Rules

    Before you start work on your slide, you should take the following rules into account:

    • One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted in the presentation (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description). This can be visible continuously, or ‘cut to’ (as many times as you like) for a maximum of 1 minute or submitted via email if not included in the presentation.
    • No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are permitted;
    • Do not use a transparent background on the slide;
    • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.

    If you need to reference a picture, image or any kind of content in your slide, you can do it on the title page or at the bottom of the slide in a small box.

    Suggestions

    You may like to consider some of the following suggestions.

    • Less is more: text and complicated graphics can distract your audience – you don’t want them to read your slide instead of listening to your 3MT. 
    • Personal touches: personal touches can allow your audience to understand the impact of your research.
    • Creativity drives interest: do not rely on your slide to convey your message – it should simply complement your oration.
    • Work your message: think about how your slide might be able to assist with the format and delivery of your presentation – is there a metaphor that helps explain your research?
    • An engaging visual presentation can make or break any oration, so make sure your slide is legible, clear and concise.
  • Example of Video Presentations

    Below are the videos from past winners of USM Virtual 3MT Competition for references:

    2023

    2022

    2021

Address

Institute of Postgraduate Studies
Universiti Sains Malaysia
11800 USM
Penang, Malaysia.

Contact

Tel.: +604-653 2936 / +604-653 2937 / +604-653 2938
Fax: +604-653 2940
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Logo IPSUSM

Copyright © 2023 by Universiti Sains Malaysia. All rights reserved.  |