The Three Minute Thesis competition is a platform for confirmed Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) students to present their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience and develop their academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Participating in 3MT develops your academic, presentation and research communication skills, as well as your ability to effectively explain your research study in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Why should you participate for the 3MT Competition?

Build a research culture among higher degree students

3MT provides a valuable opportunity for Ph.D. and DBA candidates to come together, get to know each other (network) and discuss about their research and gain a presentation skills training, which will immensely contribute to their subsequent research-related presentations.

Build external relations, gain recognition, and expand the network

3MT winners get excellent recognition and professional development opportunities in their respective places of employment. Previous 3MT finalists have benefited from invitations to a variety of other networking events following their participation in the competition. 

Eligibility

Active PhD/MPhil/DBA candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of the first presentation are eligible to participate in the competition including researchers who have submitted their doctoral thesis and are preparing for their defense/VIVA.

Please note that graduates are not eligible.

Format of 3MT Competition 2025

The format of the 2025 3MT Competition at all levels is to be a live in-person event and all competitors are required to deliver a live in-person performance.

Permission to adopt and hold the 3MT Competition at the University of Kelaniya

The 3MT thesis competition was launched in 2008 by The University of Queensland, Australia and has been adopted worldwide with the permission and approval of the University of Queensland, Australia. Accordingly, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka is one of the participating institutions among the 900 universities and institutions around the world who have obtained the permission to hold the 3MT competition with the approval of the UQ Australia.

3MT Presentations from Around the World (Sample videos)

You can click on the link below to watch 3MT presentations from previous competitors who have won the competition from the events held around the world.

https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au/watch-3mt

(Credits to – University of Queensland, Australia)

Information for 3MT participants

The 3MT Competitor guide contains important information about the 3MT competition for the contestants.

Preparation training